Hawksford Outdoor Pursuits (HOP for short) is an outdoor pursuits centre located on the former grounds of the Sharma & Sharma sweets factory. It was opened in 2019 by Kim Tate, Jai Sharma and Al Chapman and is currently owned by Kim Tate and Gabby Thomas. Hide Bistro is located on its premises.
History[]
After the devastating fire at the factory in August 2019, the Sharmas were forced to sell a big share of their business to businesswoman 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 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 abstinence. 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 grand son, 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 reenters to check if Meena is alright, however he realises both she and the footage is gone. When he ventures back outside he is beat 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 finalized and instead offered him a role as General Manager. He initially turned it down but soon realized he had no choice but to accept.
Ownership[]
A list of owners and their shares in the business.
| 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- | Kim Tate | Gabby Thomas | ||||