Aprèsbars earmarks 13 towns for new venues

The four-strong Aprèsbars chain has unveiled an ambitious list of target towns it wants to open sites in.

The company's development plans could see Aprèsbars spread from its Midlands heartland as far as Cardiff in the south-west and Chester in the north-west. It has instructed property agent Colliers CRE to identify sites in 13 target towns suitable for conversion to its distinctive ski-lodge format.

Après currently trades in Birmingham, Stafford, Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield. A fifth site at Sollihull is due to open next month at a cost of £1m, to create what the company says will be the most luxurious bar in town.

Currently, holding company Town & Country Inns also

operates the award-winning Summerow complex in Birm-ingham, which comprises three different venues, Mechu, Mix Brasserie and Après.

Aprèsbars UK chairman Keith Williams said that the proven brand of the concept set the foundation for significant expansion. "We have exciting times ahead of us, as the brand formula and our team are recognised as being among the best in the industry, and with the right venues, the Après concept can go all the way," he said.

Last year, Aprèsbars an-nounced a £10m expansion plan but has now reset its sights with its latest acquisition initiative.

It is seeking freehold or leasehold venues offering between 4,500 and 6,000sq ft. Colliers is currently seeking sites in Chester, Oxford, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Bristol, Stratford-on-Avon, Cardiff, Reading, Bath, Swindon, Henley-on-Thames, Nottingham and Marlow.

Paul Hands, of Colliers' licensed & leisure division, said the targets reflected the company preference for an upmarket trading environment.

"Aprèsbars are designed to offer customers a point of difference [to attract those who] shy away from established drinking circuits," he said. "We are seeking quality locations in these towns. If we can find the right established business, we would prefer that route, but non-licensed sites will be considered.

"However, the nature of these towns inevitably means that finding the right site will not be straightforward," he said.