New pubs opened by Prospect Pubs and Seafood PubCo, others look to sell

Seafood PubCo venue opens after £1.2m refurb​

Seafood PubCo (SPC) has opened a new southern flagship pub the Grand Junction Arms in Tring, Hertfordshire, after a £1.2m renovation, celebrating the the year anniversary of its partnership with the Oakman Group.

The Victorian canal-side pub, which the locally-based premium pub company purchased last spring, opened on Monday 28 March following a six month redesign.

The traditional SPC blue and white palette has been updated, and the new brand promise of ‘Serving food from Land and Sea’ has been added, according to the Oakman Group divisional managing director Joycelyn Neve.

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Christie & Co lets the Queens Head to experienced operator​

Christie & Co has let the Queen’s Head in Bulwick, Northamptonshire, to experienced operator Guy Kersey.

The new lease to operate the pub presents the opportunity to acquire a traditional village free-house with multiple trade areas and external dining spaces, for nil premium.

The business was renowned for high-quality food, customer service experience, and has been taken over by Guy Kersey, who owns the Leicestershire venues Ortons Brasserie in Leicester city centre, the Carington Arms, Ashby Folville and the Dew Srop Inn in Halthern.

Christie & Co hospitality business agent James Buist-Brealey, who handled the sale, said it was a “pleasure” to help agree a new lease for the pub. He said: “Set within a quaint Northamptonshire village, The Queen’s Head offers the new owner a fantastic opportunity to bring a stunning free-house back to life.

“We received large levels of interest for The Queen’s Head and demand continues to outstrip supply. If you own a similar business, it’s a great time to think about selling to take advantage of the buoyant market, so please do get in touch."

Prospect Pubs opens debut London site​

Prospect Pubs & Bars has opened its first London site, the Cambria, Camberwell, south London, on Thursday 24 March, after a renovation costing more than £600k.

Owned by Mark Draper and Dan Shotton, previously of Redcomb Pubs, the company’s portfolio has now expanded to six trading sites.

The Star Pubs & Bars venue was acquired by the duo in November 2021, and will reopen with an enlarged bar area, as well as a garden art instillation designed by local brewers, Brixton Brewery.  

The Cambria now also benefits from a new 70-cover garden room with retractable roof and sides, as well as a 40-cover enclosed garden outside. The upstairs and private dining room has also been upgraded, with space for 40 seated diners, a private bar and bespoke menus for various occasions.

Prospect Pubs director Mark Draper commented: “When this site was first presented to us, we knew it had massive potential and was also spot on in terms of what we’re trying to achieve within the group. Its local community status had been missed by so many in the area, and it was great to work with the Star Pubs team to bring the place back to life, and be able to offer this bustling neighbourhood the pub that it deserved.”

Historic Sussex pub on the market for £55k​

The leasehold interest of the Rainbow inn, Cooksbridge, East Sussex, with leisure property specialist Fleurets for £55k.

The pub is situated 10 minutes from the historic county town of Lewes, and 20 minutes from Brighton. Made up of a bar (12 covers), main dining area (40 covers) and a restaurant extension/function room (30 covers), the property also boasts extensive external seating and three double bedroomed accommodation.

Free of all ties, the property has been a hit for current owner Tom Stovold, who said: “While the Rainbow has been successful for us, particularly the Sunday carvery, it no longer fits the Revived Inns business model. However, it does presents a good value business for an owner operator,”

Cake-inspired bar opens in Haggerston​

The Pantry Bar, a cake-inspired drinking spot, has been opened by the Big London Bake East in Haggerston, East London.

The bar is part of the brand-new venue, the Big London Bake East, which offers a friendly baking experience. However, the bar is open to all, whether guests have booked a baking session or not.

Customers can find the bar behind a life-size fridge door, where they will discover a venue decorated with hanging whisk lights, candy jar lamps, giant faux cupcakes and vintage utensils.

Cloudwater Brew Co and Levanter to take over Manchester garden neighbourhood

Cloudwater Brew Co and Ranmsbottom Levanter have revealed plans to take over Manchester’s garden neighbourhood Kampus, with ten weeks of block parties in store.

Each weekend will see the rental garden host laid-back disco parties, paired with Cloudwater beer on tap and Spanish snacks.

The residency will kick off from Friday 15 April and will run until Sunday 26 June 2022. Each weekend will pay tribute to a different global hotspot, ranging from New York jazz to Irish folk parties, with guest DJs taking to the decks.

Manchester’s brewery Cloudwater is set to open a flagship venue at the rental neighbourhood later this year.

• To find out about pubs for sale, lease and tenancy go to our property site.​
• If you have any information regarding new openings or property details you think could be used in this weekly round-up section, along with hi-res landscape images, please email nzryvr.znhevpr-wbarf@jeoz.pbz​ before midday on Tuesdays.