PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Nightcap opens several sites and countryside inns placed on market
Tonight Josephine to open in Liverpool
Cocktail and party bar brand Tonight Josephine has announced it will open in Liverpool later this year for its sixth UK site.
The latest site for Tonight Josephine, which is part of the Adventure Bar Group under the umbrella of the Nightcap group, will be located at 85-89 Hanover Street, Liverpool. The floor will cover approximately 7,983sq ft, split across a ground-floor entrance, basement and lower basement and has an unrestricted capacity of 350. Its licensed hours are until 2am on Monday to Thursday and 3am on Friday and Saturday.
Nightcap chief executive Sarah Willingham said: “The Tonight Josephine brand is ready to continue its rapid rollout across the UK. We opened in Birmingham, Clapham and most recently launched in Cardiff, with several sold-out events and evenings from the outset.”
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The Cocktail Club to reach 16 sites with Birmingham opening
The Nightcap group is set to open a flagship site for its brand, The Cocktail Club, in Birmingham later this year.
The new venue will open at 31 Temple Street, Birmingham. It will be a ground-floor site covering an area of approximately 4,600sq ft that will be split into three bar areas with an unrestricted capacity of 450 and will have a seven days a week licence until 2am.
Nightcap chief executive Sarah Willingham said: “From the outset, we felt The Cocktail Club format had the opportunity to successfully operate larger sites. Both Reading and Bristol exceeded our maturity net sales targets within their first three months of operation and we are confident that Birmingham will continue that trajectory with an even larger site.”
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Greedy Gordons Pub Group opens third site in Northamptonshire
Pub operator Greedy Gordons Pub Group has opened its third site in Northamptonshire, following a £500,000 refurbishment.
The Snooty Fox at Lowick, near Thrapston, is a private leasehold that has been opened by owners Richard Gordon and Sonya Harvey.
The pub was due to open two years ago but was delayed due to the challenges of the pandemic. It features a 50-cover restaurant and 60-seat bar area, with the bar featuring a nine pump beer wall, offering world beers. The Snooty Fox’s food offer focuses on dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood, with the venue having a lobster tank in its kitchen.
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‘Much-loved’ pub reopens in Stony Stratford after makeover
Wells & Co pub in partnership with Abi perry-Jones has opened the Old School House after extensive refurbishments in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire.
Formerly named the Plough, the pub has been transformed into a fresh and vibrant new space, with a new bar snack menu launched alongside opportunities for three course meals, and a great range of drinks such as Brewpoint beers brewed in Bedford.
Emily Ellwood, general manager of the pub, commented: “We can’t wait to welcome back locals to their much-loved pub. We’re the pub for all occasions, boasting a fantastic new menu and extensive drinks range including our very own, one of a kind dedicated cocktail bar. We can’t wait to see you all soon.”
Hertfordshire pub opens doors after extensive refurbishment
The Chequers in Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire is opening its doors after extensive refurbishment.
Completed works include a completely refreshed look including the bar and dining area, redecorated throughout providing a modern, cosy interior, which boasts a lounge area and large dining space. There has also been an extensive garden makeover which includes heated spaces and high table fire pits.
Upstairs has been reconfigured and there are now four en-suite bedrooms as well as a private dining room with space for up to 20 people. This space can be used for private functions, and is ideal for hosting work meetings.
Furthermore, food options include a seasonal menu inclusive of daily specials. The Chequers general manager Greg Knox said the refurbishment had been “transformational”. He added: “The pub is ready, our food is prepped, drinks will be flowing and our team are on hand to welcome the people of Woolmer Green and beyond, back to their much loved pub. I can’t wait to personally welcome everyone back”.
Tonight Josephine Cardiff opens doors and showcases new look
The Adventure Bar group officially launched their Tonight Josephine venue in Cardiff on Friday 8 April.
Located inside the former Charleston’s Steakhouse on Caroline Street, the showcases a new look inspired by Gen-Z culture, and an extensive menu of more than 30 cocktails.
Alongside their iconic ‘Well Behaved Women Don’t Make History’ sign, the venue features a new acid-green neon sporting the words ‘Kiss the Frogs and Make them Cry’. The windows are decked with a pink vinyl and bright green booths will line the walls.
Cardiff is the first Tonight Josephine venue to span across two floors, and will have a capacity of 294 people. Adventure Bar Group founder Tom Kidd said he was “thrilled” to have opened the venue with its new look. “Cardiff is such a young, vibrant and positive city; we’re confident Tonight Josephine will be really well received,” he concluded.
‘Charming’ West Sussex inn on market
Coaching Inn, the Swan in Fittleworth, West Sussex is now on the market, available solely with leisure property specialists Fleurets.
The freehold of the Grade II Listed historic coaching inn is available with a guide of £1,250,000 plus VAT. There is also a new 20 year free of tie lease at nil premium available.
The two-story property dates back to the 15th century and comprises of a bar and dining area (60 cover), function/meeting rooms (24 covers), enclosed lawned garden (100 covers), patios (40 covers) and 15 en-suite letting rooms. There is also separate private accommodation.
The Swan has been closed since 2020 and does require some investment, though its historic charm is still very evident in both the exterior and interiors of the property.
Nick Earee, Fleurets Brighton divisional director said: “I am delighted to have been instructed to offer to the open market this charming Grade II Listed coaching inn which is close to Goodwood and a number of notable places of interest.
“With the lack of visible stock in the market I expect tremendous interest with the first viewings to be organised on 21st April from 11.30am.”
Brewdog site opens in Hull
Brewdog’s newest UK bar in Hull, East Yorkshire opened its doors midday on Friday 8 April.
The venue is situated at Princes Dock Street, only a few minutes from Hull’s Marina and town centre. The bar will have 28 taps of craft beer and will serve a variety of drinks, with a takeaway service available.
What’s more, Brewdog Hull sees the 5th instalment of the kitchen residency from Red True’s Barbeque, with veggie and vegan classics also available.
North Yorkshire Inn remodelled and on market
The George Country Inn, North Yorkshire has been fully remodelled and is now on the market through Davey Co.
The premises are held on the residue of a ten year private lease from 2021. The rent is £10,000 to August 2022, £20,000 to August 2023 and £25,000 for the full remaining term of the lease.
Furthermore, the revamp of the pub includes lounge dining, private dining, a village bar, function room and four en-suite rooms. It is situated in Wath- a village between Ripon and Thirsk, and is held on private lease terms with the rent stepping from £10,000 p.a. to £25,000 p.a. over three years.
£132,000 net sales for first six months from standing start, readily capable of achieving net sales of more than £400,000 in the hands of experienced owner operators or privately owned multi-site country inn operators alike.
Furthermore, the fixtures and fittings are substantially free of loan, hire purchase and lease agreements. Offers are sought in the region of £125,000 for the leasehold premises, the goodwill of the business and trade fixtures and fittings. Stock is to be purchased separately at valuation.
Vegan-friendly cocktail bar opens in Clapham
Guava, a vegan-friendly cocktail bar, opened on 8 March in Clapham, south London, by the team behind the Caribbean restaurant Sugarcane London, also in Clapham.
The bar is headed by Tarell McIntosh, the mastermind behind Sugarcane, and will open from Thursdays to Saturdays from 6pm to late.
Community pub set to reopen after £300k refurb
The White Hart in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, formerly known as the Town Inn, is set to reopen on Thursday 14 April following a £300k refurbishment.
The joint investment has been funded by new licensees Jemma Arnold and Colin Forde, and community pubco Admiral Taverns, who own 1,600 pubs across the country.
The makeover includes a full refresh of the pub’s exterior, including a secluded garden area. The inside has also been revamped with a new look at feel: the main bar area is now the ‘Spots Bar’, while the functions room acts as the ‘Lounge Bar’ which can be booked for private events.
“We are thrilled to finally be opening the White Hart to the community and I can’t wait to see the reaction from all the customers – they won’t be disappointed,” commented Arnold.
She added: “The refurbishment has completely transformed the pub and it looks better than we ever imagined. Launch night is set to be a fantastic occasion and we hope to see lots of locals enjoy the pub!”
Diageo cashes out £2.4m to transform pubs and bars outdoor sports gardens
Diageo is offering the opportunity for pubs, restaurants and bars to makeover their outdoor sports areas throughout the latest phase of the Raising the Bar £30m initiative.
The programme launched in 2020 and has supported more than 30,000 outlets across the last two years. The latest support will offer successful outlets a variety of options to maximise their outdoor spaces, including stretch tents and awning, timber cladded walls, standalone bars, outdoor seating, external lighting and more.
To apply for support, licensees need to fill out a questionnaire on www.diageo-one.com by 30 April 2022. Successful outlets will be selected by a non-commercial board from Diageo, and will hear from the Raising the Bar team in May, with instillations taking place across May and June.
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