Crowdfunded Bison Arms to receive food from award-winning restaurant

Bison Beer, a local bottle shop, fought off competition from Burger King for the site by raising £100,000 from largely local investors to secure the freehold of the site, previously called the Mariner Pub.

64 Degrees chef-patron Michael Bremner said: “We’ve been quite well connected with [the Bison Beer team] since the beginning. They do these ‘tap takeovers’ where they’ll get a specific beer and we’ll match food to it.

“We’ve done that since the start, so we’ve always had a connection. They approached us as soon as they put in the idea to beat the Burger King and do the Bison Arms.”

The food served at the Bison Arms would most likely lean towards gastropub and bistro fare rather than the small, British tapas-style plates served at 64 Degrees, he said.

High standard​

“The food is not going to be anything like 64 Degrees but it’s going to have the same ethos – a high standard and everything made on site.

“We haven’t designed the menu yet, but we are thinking bistro and gastropub-ish food and then the possibility of tapas-style dishes for the actual bar.”

The level of support given to the two businesses had been “amazing”, he added.

“I’ve always had quite a lot of support from everyone in Brighton from when we first opened – I think it’s because we’re genuinely trying to do something different.

Best experience​

“We focus a lot on trying to give customers and locals the best experience they can get and I think everyone appreciates that.”

Jack Cregan, co-owner of Bison Beer, previously told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser ​he wanted to champion local brewers and food with the pub and build something for the community.

Their crowdfunding campaign was inspired by a petition to prevent a Burger King from being built in the Laines, a section of the town which is renowned for local businesses.