PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Greene King and Roxy Leisure launch new sites and old pubs reopen doors
Greene King launches seventh Hive Pubs site after £400k revamp
Greene King Pub Partners has launched its seventh Hive Pubs site, the Orb & Sceptre in South Wootton, Norfolk, following a £400,000 investment.
The Orb & Sceptre, previously known as the Deer’s Leap, will be run by new franchisees Alan and Sam Brookes. The venue has been transformed with a modern look and feel, in line with the Hive Pubs brand.
The outside of the pub has been refurbished with ‘beach huts’, and a large space for customers to eat and drink in. The pub will offer a range of food in line with the Hive Pubs concept, including pub classics paired with desserts.
For Alan and Sam Brookes, the Orb & Sceptre franchisees, going down the franchise route was the “obvious choice”. They said: “Greene King has provided a fully invested and revamped pub with a proven concept, but we haven’t had to pay the high costs associated with such an investment.
“It greatly reduces risk for us as entrepreneurs and means we can focus on running and growing a great pub business.”
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Tyne and Wear community pub opens after £130k investment
Community pub, the Black Bush, in Washington, Tyne and Wear, reopened on 24 March following a combined investment of £130k from pubco Admiral Taverns and a brand-new operator.
Working with the pubco, owner Patrick Evennett has transformed the pub with an interior and exterior refurbishment. Inside, residents can enjoy a brand-new function room with a disco platform that can fit up to 70 guests.
The garden also boasts a new look, with refreshed signage, benches, lights and hanging baskets outside.
The aim of the Black Bush owner Patrick Evennett is to create an intimate, relaxing space where customers feel at ease. “Having celebrated so many special, personal occasions in this pub as a customer, I want to pass this onto the residents and offer a place for them to celebrate their special moments too,” he said.
Roxy Leisure launches next site in Bristol
Roxy Leisure has announced its latest Roxy Lanes site will be in Union Street, Bristol.
The Union Street location will boast a capacity of 350, alongside a range of entertainment. The entertainment offering will include eight full-size bowling lanes, batting cages, shuffle boards, karaoke booths, pool tables, beer-pong, arcade games and ice-free curling.
“Bristol is an exciting and vibrant city, full of creative individuals who love to have fun,” Roxy Leisure commercial manager Joel Mitchell commented.
She added: “We’ve been wanting to join the bustling night life here for a while; we’re excited about bringing our competitive gaming concept to a new audience.”
The new opening of Roxy Lanes will create 45 jobs.
Arc to open Manahatta site in Newcastle
Bar operator Arc Inspirations is set to expand its portfolio with its biggest ever development, having secured approval to launch a £2.5m Manahatta bar in Newcastle.
The new bar will be on the site of a former Allied Irish Bank on Collingwod Street, which has been vacant for 10 years, with the development of the grade-II listed building the largest investment in the group’s history at a capacity of 500 guests and creating almost 100 new jobs.
Arc Inspirations co-founder and chief executive Martin Wolstencroft said he was “absolutely delighted” to bring the Manahatta brand to Newcastle. He said: “We love the city and can’t wait to open what will be our second venue here, after Banyan.”
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500 year old pub opens after £250k revamp
Glen Parva Manor, a 500 year old pub in Leicester, Leicestershire, reopened on Monday 4 April following a £250k refurbishment.
The Grade II listed building has opened with a new interior, that pays homage to the building’s history. Original features including fireplaces, wooden beam ceilings and 18th century sash windows now sit alongside velvet chairs, larger wooden ‘family-style’ tables and kid-friendly ‘engraved board game’ wooden tables.
The pub also has a new bar and snug area, and the food and drinks menu has been relaunched with a focus on pub classics with a modern twist.
England’s oldest pub reopens doors
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, thought to England’s oldest pub, reopened its doors this Monday (4 April) after former staff teamed up to take over the lease.
The Hertfordshire-based pub closed in February after owner Christo Tofalli’s firm went into administration. Martin Robinson and Ian Baulsh, who were previously manager and head chef, plus Sam Walker, will now run the pub, said to date back to AD793.
New owner Martin Robinson said he was “delighted” that the trio were taking over the pub in a Facebook post. The new strategy will include a rejuvenated food offering, an extensive barbeque area in the garden, live music events and a kids’ menu.
