The secret's in the timing.

(From Off Licence News)

What do you do if you've got 15 wine shops that are already performing well but you need a new name, a new concept, a new range and a new look? If you're Benoit Thouvenin, new owner of the former Nicolas shops outside the M25, you'll be racing up and down the country, getting to know your staff and asking them for their input in every area of your new venture. And you will be preparing your palate for some heavyweight tasting in the months to come.

Thouvenin left Nicolas owner Castel to set up Spirited Wine and take on the estate outside the M25 after the company realised its French-only concept wasn't working beyond London.

The move came 11 years after he joined Castel from a catering background. He first set up Nicolas's successful shop-cum-wine bar in Canary Wharf, then concentrated more on retail as Castel moved its focus in that direction. He worked for both Nicolas and Oddbins, where he eventually signed the deal that saw Simon Baile take over the operation in summer 2008.

He tells OLN about his plans.

Why did you decide to set up your own business? It was the next step in my personal career, …