Inventive Leisure to spend £6.6m to roll out evolved Revolution

Inventive Leisure, the Alchemy Partners-backed bar operator, is to spend £6.6m rolling out an evolved version of Revolution to a further 26 sites after trials at eight venues, M&C Report has learnt.

The rollout is to take place over the next eight months, starting with Swansea on 20 July then Brighton the following week. Sites will then open at the rate of one per week.

The new design is said to build on the demands of affluent style-conscious customers, with “crisp stylish décor injected with vibrant touches and attention-grabbing displays”. There’s a full meet-and-greet service on arrival and full floor service throughout.

The drinks offer has been enhanced with an emphasis on quality cocktails that extend beyond the previous vodka based-menu, incorporating drinks such as the classic and fruit Mojito, Sours, and a range of sharing and connoisseu cocktails.

Chief executive Mark McQuater said: “Our customers pull from the more affluent 18-35 year age group and the new design and service standards coupled with the unique mix of music and entertainment has hit the market spot-on for this eclectic group.

“Our trials in Leeds, York, Edinburgh, Albert Dock, Cambridge, Deansgate, Wimslow and Aberdeen have enabled us to constantly improve elements of our offer and come up with a repositioned Revolution brand that works for our customers.  We have seen fantastic results - it’s very exciting.”

McQuarter, the former chief executive of Barracuda Pub Company, was named as CEO of the c70-strong group in March. He replaced Roy Ellis, who stepped down after 22 years at the company.

Speaking to the Publican's Morning Advertiser sister title M&C Report after his appointment, McQuater said the company had the potential to be a “significant scale operation”.

Inventive Leisure was put up for sale at the start of 2012 but taken off the market in the autumn.