Hawksford Outdoor Pursuits (HOP for short) is an outdoor pursuits centre located on the former grounds of the Sharma & Sharma. It was opened in 2019 by Kim Tate, Jai Sharma and Al Chapman and is currently owned by Laurel and Gabby Thomas. Hide Bistro is located on its premises.
History[]
After the devastating fire at the factory in August 2019, the Sharma's were forced to sell a big share of their business to Kim Tate. resulting in Kim and Jai owning a 49.5% share each and the remaining 1% belonging to Nicola King. However, Kim approached Nicola with an offer she could not resist and managed to convince her to sell her share to Kim's business partner, Al Chapman. Together Kim and Al owned the majority share and could overrule Jai and every decision. They decided to instead of rebuilding the factory, completely demolish it and build an outdoors pursuit centre. Jai had no choice but to play along and the new centre finally had its official opening on the 20th January 2020.
In the wake of their first disastrous opening, ending in the murder of Graham Foster on their premises, the team started working to make HOP a success and expanded their ideas on a restaurant and getting more investors. As Jai went to rehab in in late January, his sister Priya Kotecha took over the reigns to make sure Kim and Al didn't walk all over him in his absence. Once he returned she continued to work there alongside him. In May 2020, Victoria Sugden was hired to be the head chef.
In October 2021, Al sold his 1% share in the business to Kim after he wanted to invest in the local pub, The Woolpack. After giving birth to Kim's grandson, Thomas Tate, Gabby Thomas made deal with Kim which saw her signing over 20% of everything she owned to her, making her a 10% shareholder in the business.
In November 2021, Ben Tucker breaks in desperate to find evidence that will clear his name over the bridge collapse, however he finds footage of an attempted drowning. He is soon joined by Meena Jutla and it is revealed the footage is of her attempting to drown Victoria, a struggle ensures resulting in Meena slipping on spilt wine and Ben getting away with the footage. Ben later re-enters to check if Meena is alright, however he realises both she and the footage is gone. When he ventures back outside he is beaten to death with a paddleboard by Meena.
In February/March 2022, Kim had to sell Mulberry Cottage where Jai's ex-girlfriend Laurel Thomas lives, so she invited Jai to Home Farm and presented him with a contract to sell his (49.5%) share of HOP in exchange for letting him buy the house for Laurel. However, Laurel turned Jai down and later Gabby told Kim that she wanted to buy the house. When Jai found out he wasn't very happy and wanted to call off the deal but Kim told him it was already finalised and instead offered him a role as General Manager. He initially turned it down but soon realised he had no choice but to accept.
In 2023, Gabby is convinced by her fiancé, Nicky Miligan, that she is too dependant on Kim, so Gabby suggests she buy the HOP from Kim in exchange for the assets she had given Gabby when Thomas was born. Kim agrees to this on the condition that the business is put in Thomas's name and Gabby becomes half owner.
In 2024, Laurel Thomas was given Hawksford Outdoor Pursuits from Jai in their divorce, Gabby and Laurel now equally run the business.
Ownership[]
A list of owners and their shares in the business.
- Kim Tate (2019-2024)
- Jai Sharma (2019-2022, 2024)
- Al Chapman (2019-2021)
- Gabby Thomas (2021 to present)
- Laurel Thomas (2024 to present)
Ownership table[]
| Date | Share 1 (49.5%) | Share 2 (49.5%) | Share 3 (1%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2021 | Kim Tate | Jai Sharma | Al Chapman | |||
| Date | Share 1 (50.5%) | Share 2 (49.5%) | ||||
| 2021 | Kim Tate | Jai Sharma | ||||
| Date | Share 1 (40.4%) | Share 2 (49.5%) | Share 3 (10.1%) | |||
| 2021-2022 | Kim Tate | Jai Sharma | Gabby Thomas | |||
| Date | Share 1 (89.9%) | Share 2 (10.1%) | ||||
| 2022-2024 | Kim Tate | Gabby Thomas | ||||
| Date | Share 1 (50%) | Share 2 (50%) | ||||
| 2024 | Jai Sharma | Gabby Thomas | ||||
| 2024- | Laurel Thomas | Gabby Thomas | ||||