Promotional Content/ Savills
What can pubs do to reduce their energy consumption?
By Savills licensed leisure team director Stuart Stares
Pubs are coming under increasing pressure to be more sustainable and to target net zero carbon. Pubs are quite often located in beautiful historic buildings and this can mean they lack the modern energy saving and efficiencies of newer buildings. Historic buildings typically have poorer energy performance, due largely to limited insulation, single glazing and poor air tightness. So how can pubs make the right steps to become net zero?
Firstly, it is imperative this topic is taken seriously. The UK Government has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement and in doing so to decarbonise the UK power system by 2035. Organisations such as The Zero Carbon Forum have been set up to help the hospitality industry reach its sustainability targets and members have pledged to work collaboratively on reaching carbon net zero, including within their supply chains.
For pubs that means the key focus of the above is in reducing their energy consumption and therefore the amount of carbon emitted as well as converting gas appliances to fully electric alternatives. There are many different options available and each building will need to be evaluated to assess the most suitable method and associated technical solutions. Here are some of the key things pub owners and operators can do to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint.
- Procuring electricity supplies from green sources
- Installing energy efficient LED lighting
- Improving cellar efficiency through better insulation and installation of cellar management technology
- Improving insulation of building i.e. roof/wall insultation and double glazed windows
- Introducing water free urinals
- Installing smart meters to better understand how electricity/fossil fuels are used across the pub or estate and which appliances use the most electricity
- Converting gas appliances such as external heaters, space and hot water heating and kitchens to electric alternatives
- Investigating the potential for onsite renewable energy generation through rooftop photovoltaic panels
Given the recent inflation in utility costs there is an additional incentive to improve energy efficiency and therefore profitability of pubs to help offset these increased costs.
Shaker Group takes on first Star lease
Midlands-based operator Shaker Group has taken on its first Star Pubs & Bars lease, the White Hart in Redditch, Worcestershire.
The pub which has been closed since the start of the year, will reopen in early September as a premium family and dog-friendly local following a £400,000 refurb with Star.
The Hart is the first of five sites the group, run by husband-and-wife duo Adam and Theresa Freeth, intends to establish in the next three years.
The investment will see the former White Hart Inn rebranded to the Hart at Headless Cross and will focus on homemade pub classics. Produce will be sourced from local suppliers where possible, including coffee from a Worcestershire roastery, homemade deli items and bread baked on site.
Adam said: “We’ve had our eye on the White Hart for 10 years. It’s a fantastic pub in a great location with the potential for multiple income streams. There’s nothing like it within a 100-mile radius.
“If it works well, we will hope to look at other Star pubs in the future for our expansion plans. Coincidentally, the very first pub I worked in was my mother’s pub in Redditch – the Duck Inn. It is now a Star site.”
The courtyard will be used for alfresco dining, and will feature covered seating booths, a heated stretch tent, hurricane lamps and festoon lighting.
The indoors will also be reconfigured, with a new built build on the left-hand side, and current bar removed.
What’s more, later in the year an upstairs bookable cocktail bar for 40 will open.
Hydes relaunches Macclesfield bar under new name after £100k investment
Hydes Brewery has relaunched the Mandarina Bar & Kitchen in Macclesfield, Cheshire as Alfreds Bar & Dine after a £100,000 investment.
The facelift at the bar, which has been part of the Hydes estate for more 20 years, includes an interior refurb and new signage. The site’s new name recognises Alfred Hyde, who co-founded the brewery with brother Ralf in 1863.
Hydes Brewery managing director Adam Mayers said: “As our only establishment in Macclesfield, Alfreds boasts a modern new look and feel which will be in-keeping with the wider Hydes offering while maintaining a lot of its successful qualities. As a popular bar in the area, we’re confident that customers will enjoy the new look, feel and name.
“We really want them to experience the welcoming atmosphere of a typical Hydes pub, couple with a contemporary twist. This is the latest in a series of planned refurbishments across the brewery’s estate over the next 12 months.”
Doors reopen at 19th century Ealing pub
1800’s pub the North Star in Ealing, west London, reopened on Thursday 30 June following an extensive four-week refurb.
The venue, which began as a beer shop in 1851, is situated next to Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre. The makeover includes new soft furnishing, an outdoor dining area and a new stage area.
The North Star general manager Sarah Corcoran said: “The refurbishment has been a long time coming, and guests can expect to see a fresh new outside space, a vibrant interior and a soulful atmosphere all of our guests have come to know and love.”
Historic Kensington pub gets makeover
The Devonshire Arms, Kensington, west London, opened at the end of May following a four-week revamp.
Changes to the pub include new soft furnishings and a wooden decking outdoor dining area.
The site’s general manager Marco Placona commented: “We are very excited to reopen and welcome our guests back. The garden looks fantastic and it’s the perfect spot for a summer al-fresco dining.”
The Hospital Club bar lands at the Raven in Tower Bridge
Central London based pub the Raven opened in May after Fleurets leased the property to Pulse Development Ltd.
“Andy Frisby at Fleurets led us to the Raven”, said Pulse operations director Jason Osborne. “We have pubs across the south-west and having a London pub was always a goal for us. Thanks to our business case presented to the landlord and Andy at Fleurets, we were able to sign the lease in April.”
Prior to opening their doors, the Raven underwent a full-scale renovation. The ground floor is decorated in black and red, and the first floor emulates a private members club. Furthermore, the lower ground level has a small live music venue planned plus a commercial kitchen.
Pulse managing director Michelle Tempest said: “With true love of the Tower Bridge area and fan of the historic pubs of Wapping it is a dream come true to take over The Raven.”
“The [venue] had been closed nearly two years and was left an empty shell, this meant we had the opportunity to start with a blank canvas for the concept and design of all three trading floors which is very rare when taking on a pub.”
American expansion for Bike Shed Moto
Bike Shed Moto Co – a destination renowned for providing the moto-loving community with premier hangout spaces – has officially launched its second venue and first US location in Los Angeles.
Set underneath four Victorian archways, the 12,000 sq-ft east London site features a ‘ride-by’ style entrance and offers a restaurant, bar, café, lounge, retail emporium, tattoo parlour and barbershop.
The company utilised funds raised from investors including Growthdeck to expand its business this spring into Los Angles’ Arts District. Opening Aprils 2022, the 30,000 square foot ‘moto culture’ square blends a restaurant, café, bar and lounge with a 4,000 sq-ft retail emporium, events venues, art galleries, private dining, a private members, tattoo studio and barbershop.
Growthdeck investment director Charles Williams commented: “We’re delighted to back the expansion of one of London’s coolest businesses into a global brand. Bike Shed has been a huge success in London and there is no reason why that can’t be replicated in Los Angeles and beyond.”
- 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 emailamelie.maurice-jones@wrbm.com before midday on Tuesdays.
