Newcastle’s pub scene has ‘transformed’ – MA300 to discover
Many of Newcastle’s older pubs, which wouldn’t have looked out of place in Magaluf, had started to disappear and were being replaced by venues inspired by Soho pubs, according to national licensing specialist Richard Arnot, who will be talking about the impact of controversial Late Night Levy in the city.
“There’s a definite sense of pubs evolving and the old pubs – the sorts you’d see on the television show Geordie Shaw – no-longer work,” he said.
“We’re getting more sophisticated pubs and a lot of places are starting to sell high-quality food – they’re similar to what you’d see in London’s Borough Market or even the pubs you see in Soho.”
Pubs in the city, which has a population of about 280,000, no longer resembled what they did 10 or even five years ago, which Arnot attributed to business-savvy pub and bar owners.
‘Doing a lot of research’
Botonist manager:
As we’re coming out of the recession, people are prepared to spend more money on a better-quality drink than they would have a couple of years ago
“The owners are going out and doing a lot of research into what is working in other towns and cities and bringing it back here,” he added.
More emphasis was being placed on higher-quality drinks and food, agreed Andy Shiel-Redfern, manager of Newcastle’s branch of the Botanist.
For a town that is renowned for its own beer, Newcastle Brown Ale, the drink offer has also evolved. Bars were even specialising in one area of drink, such as Newcastle’s Decantus, which stocked 150 types of gin.
Other bars, such as Bealim, had even started to distil their own premium gins in a bid to attract punters with a point of difference from other venues.
“There’s been a massive increase in local-feel pubs opening and pubs and bars offering premium products,” Shiel-Redfern said.
“As we’re coming out of the recession, people are prepared to spend more money on a better-quality drink than they would have a couple of years ago.”
Punters from across the UK
New national flight routes into the city’s airport had also attracted punters from across the UK who were seeking a night out that had Newcastle’s friendly atmosphere, with the high-quality venues offered by the likes of London, he added.
Those pubs and bars that had a point of difference were the successful ones, claimed Paul Smith, manager at the Warerooms.
“The transformation is an example of how a city can change its pub and bar scene. It’s changed into something that’s more premium and most pubs [in Newcastle now] have a point of difference,” he added.
Meanwhile, The Publican’s Morning Advertiser’s latest MA300 event will take place on September 24 in Newcastle and features a raft of top speakers for multi-site operators.
Places are limited. To book your two free operator tickets call Jo Horton on 01293 610 403 or email Wbnaar.Ubegba@jeoz.pbz.
To view the current list of speakers, click here.
