City Diary — 4 March

Will he look good on the dancefloor?​

People are being a little rude about the man replacing Luminar potentate Stephen Thomas. New arrival Simon Douglas has had his fair share of difficult businesses to run. He is former head of Zavvi (RIP) and Head Entertainment (RIP). The Daily Mail's Rupert Steiner noted that the choice of Douglas "will hardly set the world alight". And unusually, it's common knowledge that he was second choice to Avril Palmer-Baunack, chief executive of Autologic Holdings, who didn't fancy the gig. Morning Advertiser website poster Stephen Docking rates his own chances of bagging a big job now: "Gracious. I was reviewing my CV — just the one blip. "(I) over-invested in an under-invested business that didn't really belong to me, which didn't do wonders for cash flow — followed by the inevitable loss-of-deposit-stuffed-for-F&F-scenario." Come on, give Douglas a chance.

Healey survives tabloid exposure​

Two weeks ago, the Morning Advertiser scoffed at the appointment of John Healey as pubs minister being unveiled exclusively in the News of the World. MP Nigel Evans referred to the magazine's scepticism in last week's excellent Westminster Hall's debate on pubs. Labour MP John Grogan noted that Healy is "one of few Members of the House who has survived to tell the tale following a News of the World exclusive".

M&B trials the freehouse way​

Managed company Mitchells & Butlers may have had a torrid time in recent months, but the company's research and development machine powers forwards regardless (thank goodness). City Diary hears that the company is about to embark on a trial of five sites branded as Samuel Cooper Freehouses. Among the early conversions is a venue called DN31 in Grimsby. The site was part of a trial by M&B dating back to around 2004 that involved re-naming a few high-street sites with their, er, postcode. (As ideas go, it wasn't exactly top drawer.) The site will reopen on 8 March as a Samuel Cooper Freehouse. A source says: "We plan to serve Sunday roast at a good price, more fresh food, carved meats every day, breakfasts in the morning and Costa Coffee." The Duke of Devonshire in Eastbourne will also be among the first five sites converted.

Happy progress for hip hook-up​

Mitchells & Butlers has benefited greatly from co-developing its trendier bars in the regions in conjunction with London-based hipsters 580. The joint venture has produced venues like Nation of Shopkeepers, in Leeds, Oakford Social Club, in Reading, Sixty Million Postcards, in Bournemouth, and Start the Bus, Bristol. Now its Scream venue in Bournemouth, the Registry, looks like it's getting a funk-up. A source at M&B says the venue, closing next month for a refurbishment, will be similar to the Sixty Million Postcards pub in Bournemouth. "It's likely to be an unbranded pub with a different name.'

'Proper pub' project for pair​

More news of restaurateurs taking advantage of low pub property prices. James and Sharon Trevor hold a Bib Gourmand for their bistro in Stamford, Lincolnshire, Jim's Bistro. Now the couple have bought the freehold of the Bee Hive pub in Peterborough. Sharon says: "What we are going to do is serve high quality food and real ale — basically, turn it into a proper pub. It's been boarded up a number of times in the past five years. We've had our eye on this for a number of years, but it was only last summer it came up to buy." Welcome to the pub trade, guys.

Jail for man who did it his way​

Sad to see landlord Nick Hogan jailed for flouting the smoking ban at his two Bolton pubs, the Swan at the Barristers. Eccentric Hogan, who is now serving six months in jail, has always done things a little differently. Back when the story broke, he was the only tenant of discredited pubco Provence to ring the Morning Advertiser newsdesk to voice support for the company, praising the opportunities Provence was providing him.

Knowing the value of money​

Fair Pint campaigner Karl Harrison was chatting to City Diary about the value of money — and how some people just don't get it. "I remember a friend and restaurant manager on a £27,000 salary winning the lottery," Harrison says. "I asked how much he won and he said "a shade over £1m". I asked him what the shade was and he said £47,500. "I said that the day before he won the lottery £47,000 was two years' salary and not a shade."

Beery barnet is a winner for Winner​

That old scoundrel Michael Winner reports that he has his hair washed in beer every morning. He's had the same routine for 27 years. He even names a preferred brand. "I can use any lager beer, but my hair prefers Heineken," he says. Anybody would think he's angling for another juicy advertising deal. Don't be tempted, Heineken, please.

Yates's earns success on a plate​

One small surprise in 2009 was that JD Wetherspoon (JDW) did not stretch away in like-for-like terms given consumers search for value in wallet-slimming times. One factor could well be the resurgence of the Yates's chain, competing on almost 70 high streets against Wetherspoon. Last year, the Morning Advertiser reported that Yates's tanks were parked on the JDW lawn as it competed head-to-head on food and drink price points. Sources indicate that Yates's grew food sales by a mighty 16% in the past year. It must be hurting somebody.

Greene King passes on hot potato​

Greene King is now rid of its Oxford hot potato. The company won permission in December to run lap-dancing nights at its Thirst Lodge. Locals, including members of a nearby church are furious, and there have been demonstrations — the last attracted 100 people. City council leader Bob Price told protesters the council would use new legislation due in April to force clubs like Thirst Lodge to reapply for a licence as a sex establishment. He said: "The law has not helped us in the past, but in April we intend to adopt stronger powers and have a general prohibition on these type of clubs across the city." Greene King has sold the lease to a firm called Warwood, which was incorporated, says Companies House, on 16 February. Somebody else's problem now, eh?