J&S takes on 5th Star site
It has just completed a £205,000 joint refurbishment with Star, transforming the wet-led high street pub into a traditional Irish pub named McGinty’s. This has created 10 new jobs.
The J&S Pub Company portfolio consists of different types of venues ranging from a sports bar, a pub with an indoor and outdoor kids play area and a village local and traditional Irish bar. Within these, five are leased and two freehold.
Their Star pubs include the Golden Lion in Whitby; the Commercial and the Ramshill Hotel, both in Scarborough; and the Nag’s Head in Scalby, as well as non-Star pubs the New Lancaster and the Plough Inn & Fun Farm, also in Scarborough.
McGinty’s, J&S’ second Irish bar, opened last Friday (20 May), and is named after J&S owner James Durham’s eldest stepson, Connor McGinty. Durham commented: “If McGinty’s does well we will roll it out as a brand across more locations in Yorkshire and the North East. The staff we recruit determines the speed of our growth."
Traditional Irish bar
He added: “We find our managers first and then look for sites to suit them. In the case of McGinty’s we have a couple from Dublin running it.”
Durham believed there was a gap in the market for pubs that appeal to an older demographic who want to dress up and make an occasion of going out.
“McGinty’s is far from the gimmicky Irish bars that were around 20 to 30 years ago,” Durham added.
He continued: “We wanted to bring a traditional all Irish bar to Scarborough, designed by Irish and run by Irish, offering top quality service, with traditional Irish folk music playing in the background and live music on select nights throughout the year.”
The 46-cover interior has a rustic Celtic look and feel with exposed brick walls, distressed painted panelling and hand painted murals.
New décor
Customers have a choice of green and burgundy leather booth style seating, high button back machinist bar stools and retro-styled wood and metal freestanding chairs.
Outside, there is new signage, lighting and window planters together with a mural on the side, and new rustic style furniture and festoon lighting in the courtyard beer garden keep in with the internal décor.
Business development manager Dave Rowland said: “James and Stacey are experienced and accomplished operators who really understand the hospitality scene in Scarborough.
“We are delighted to have completed a joint investment with them to transform a tired pub into an authentic Irish Bar. The opening is well timed as the spring summer season is commencing in this famous seaside resort. McGinty’s is looking to attract a broad clientele with its eclectic drinks range coupled with regular live music. I wish them every success for the future.”
