£350k Slug & Lettuce refurb creates 12 new jobs

Stonegate Pub Company-owned Slug & Lettuce bar concept is pumping £350,000 into the renovation of its St Albans site, which will create 12 new pub jobs.

The refurb will be completed on 24 October, just in time for Halloween celebrations, and promises to give customers a “fresh new look”.

Slug & Lettuce St Albans is located on Victoria Street and will have a minimalist yet elegant décor, according to Stonegate.

When it relaunches, the venue will focus on punters looking for late-night celebrations during the week, and will offer daily 2-4-1 cocktail deals and Wine Down Wednesdays, where selected bottles of wine or Gancia Dry Prosecco will be £12.

Flight of cocktails

The Tapas Tails concept – where customers can order a flight of three cocktails – will also be available.

Alongside flights of cocktails, the venue will also offer a selection of small plates, including crispy-fried jalapeno slices with paprika sour cream and cured meat antipasti. Five dishes from the small plates menu will cost £17.

General manager David Riddell said: “We are so excited to showcase our new-look site to the people of St Albans.

“Not only will are our elegant interior provide the perfect venue, but with such a great cocktail and drink offering throughout the week, we are looking forward to providing the people of St Albans a bar they can enjoy for a night of sophistication and fun.”

He added: “Whether it be for pre-dinner cocktails or a place to let your hair down all night long, Slug St Albans is set to be the ultimate venue.”

This summer the chain launched a £5 lunch menu to attract consumers looking to curb their lunchtime spending.

Spent more than £6 on lunch

According to research carried out on behalf of the pub chain, 72% of consumers asked said they spent more than £6 on lunch to eat at their desks each day.

Meanwhile, Stonegate Pub Company bolstered its portfolio in September through the acquisition of the Sports Bar & Grill concept, bringing its estate up to 703 sites.

At the time, chief executive Simon Longbottom said: “This is another excellent bolt-on acquisition for Stonegate which is right in our sweetspot and further consolidates our leading credentials in sports-led entertainment.

“We have long coveted a presence in key transport hubs and are excited about the opportunity which this presents.”