Eclectic to launch cocktail bar chain
Chief executive Reuben Harley told M&C Report that the plan is for the sites to serve around 40 styles of cocktail and typically trade until 1am or 2am.
“We’ve been targeting London. We’re looking at several sites,” said Harley. “We're [also] looking at Brighton, Leeds and Manchester.”
Harley said it would complement other elements of the business, including the restaurant/bar brand Living Room, and Ultimate Leisure, its late-night bar and nightclub arm.
He said cocktails account for 25% of its drink sales. Harley added: “Eclectic is looking at four sites across the UK. We’ve got funding in place with Barclays that enables us to purchase three to four businesses per year.”
Meanwhile, Eclectic plans to develop a bar academy. The aim is to develop a one-day course, to run at Eclectic sites in Oxford, Cambridge and Newcastle, followed by four modules that could be completed in up to two years.
Harley said it would be a “university of bar tending”. “The bar skills within the business are really good. What we’ve looked to do is cultivate that.”
In the summer Eclectic took control of the 33-strong PBR Leisure business, including Living Room, from Orchid Group.
