MA300 Business Club
Nottingham 'up there with Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds' for operators
Although the city was hit - like others - by the economic recession, increased confidence and a buzzing beer scene has seen some big names start to set up shop in the city.
Great British Pub Award winner Purecraft Bars will open its second site in Nottingham next year, Leeds-based operator Jones Bar Group has earmarked the city for its ping-pong concept Roxy Ballroom and Revolution is set to open its new Cuban concept, Revolucion de Cuba, in the city.
Many other operators are looking again at the city as a place for expansion.
The MA300 business club - whose members include the top multi-site pub operators in the UK - is heading to Nottingham in January for its latest event.
Lewis Townsend from Nottingham-based multiple site operator Castle Rock Brewery said the city is becoming one of the top places to eat and drink in the UK.
'Up there with rival cities Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield'
"Castle Rock currently operates eight managed pubs in Nottingham and they are quite varied; from colossal world beer bars and contemporary café bars to intimate and traditional pubs. The drinkers are extremely exacting and discerning so we always have to be on our toes and make sure our pubs are the best they can be.
"We have a supportive MP (Lillian Greenwood) who regularly engages with local brewers and pub operators and Nottingham is quickly becoming one of the best places in the UK to eat & drink.
"Its brewing scene is lively, competitive and of very high quality with many of the brewers embracing styles new and old. The way that Nottingham has developed over the past 20 years or so stands it up there with cities like Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield as a progressive and culturally rich space – and a very good place in which to trade."
The city offers real opportunity for operators said Maggie Dunkin, from the PMA’s Best Newcomer the Old Volunteer.
“It’s a very vibrant city. There’s such a diverse range of offers and a lot of operators doing different things and creating exciting venues. Nottingham also has a huge student population which makes the city very up and coming.”
‘Craft beer buzz and brewing heritage’
Nottingham has rapidly become one of the top destinations for craft beer fans and became the first city outside of London to host Craft Beer Week.
Co-founder Nigel Garlick said Nottingham’s young, open-minded community combined with a rich brewing heritage made it ‘a perfect place for a craft beer revolution’.
Alan Todd, operational director from leading craft beer venue the Crafty Crow, told the PMA: “Craft beer is booming in Nottingham - actually one of the challenges for us is giving all the breweries in the area a fair shot. We only stock independent brands and there so many breweries doing great things round here that even with our ten lines, it can be a struggle to include everyone.”
“People are more than happy to go out and they like a few drinks here. That said, there’s been a decline in the number of student bars selling as many doubles as possible and less of a ‘happy hour’ culture. It’s not all about what’s cheap - people are becoming more discerning about what they drink.”
'Positive developments for operators'
Poppleston Allen partner James Anderson, who will be speaking at January’s event, added that Nottingham is starting to overcome some of the licensing challenges it has faced in the past.
“The council have sometimes made it difficult to get licences in the city but there are plans to develop certain quarters, particularly down by the canal. They’re starting to look at the canal as a place to develop the late night economy in Nottingham, which is positive.”
The city also promises relatively few headaches for operators, having been awarded its sixth consecutive Purple Flag this year, an award the recognises excellence in the running of city centres. A record number of venues in the city have also gained the Best Bar None accreditation, and Nottingham has been named one of the safest (and best) cities for a night out.
The Publican Morning Advertiser’s next MA300 event will be held on Wednesday 27 January 2016 at the Albert Hall Conference Centre. If you're a multi-site operator you are entitled to two free places at the event.
Contact Joanne Horton for more details on: wbnaar.ubegba@jeoz.pbz or 01293 610403
