Rockfish, a seafood restaurant group in the UK, has secured a £1.25m equity investment to expand its presence across the southwest region of the country.

The restaurant group secured funding from British Business Bank's £200m fund South West Investment Fund (SWIF).

SWIF supports a wide range of small and medium-sized enterprises in the southwest of the UK.

The investment, made through its appointed fund manager the FSE Group, is part of a larger £3m financing round.

FSE Group head of equity for the southwest Ralph Singleton said: “Rockfish is poised for an exciting phase of expansion.

“With a robust recovery post-Covid and a highly capable management team at the helm, this expansion will further establish Rockfish as a leader in sustainable and quality seafood dining and we are delighted to be part of this journey.”

The investment is expected to support Rockfish's strategic three-year growth plan to open four new sites and expand its retail offerings.

In addition to these growth objectives, Rockfish is actively pursuing B Corp certification.

Since it was founded by Mitch Tonks in 2007, Rockfish has expanded its presence in the region. The group currently operates eight restaurants, two takeaways and a fishmonger, and has developed a tinned seafood range.

The restaurant company sources fish either directly from local markets or from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries.

Tonks said: “This investment is a testament to the strength and potential of Rockfish. We are excited to embark on this next chapter of growth, driven by our passion for seafood and our commitment to sustainability and excellence.

“We are grateful for the support from the South West Investment Fund and the FSE Group and look forward to bringing our unique seafood experience to even more people."