MOJO Bars unveils first wave of expansion plan
Voodoo Doll, the company behind MOJO Bars, has announced three new sites in Newcastle, Edinburgh and Liverpool.
The Newcastle bar, located on Newgate Street, is expected to open in late September with a capacity of 250. It will offer the full MOJO food menu plus additional pizzas. The Liverpool venue will follow shortly after.
Furthermore, MOJO Edinburgh is expected to open in June 2023. Housed on Rose Street, the bar will have a 200 capacity as well as a street café.
MOJO Bar owner and director Martin Greenhow said: “The pandemic meant we had to put a halt on several plans for MOJO and we are so happy that we are now in a position to implement our expansion programme to bring great music, food, cold beer, killer cocktails and friendly staff to cities across the UK.
“We are in negotiation with several other units across the country. No city should be deprived of a MOJO.”
Duo launch Warrington bar & eatery
Independent bar and eatery, Parlour, is set to launch its first venue in Warrington, Cheshire in September.
The launch will mark the first hospitality project for owners James Wrigley and Tom Buckley who have raised more than £500,000 of investment to date.
The pair will bring a 3,869 sq ft new bar and casual dining destination to the town’s Time Square development.
The aim is to bring a slice of New York to guests with 22 inch pizzas, small plates and salads. There will also be an entertainment offering at the venue with community-led events, local DJs and live music.
Wrigley said the venture was “extremely exciting” for him and Buckley, and they could not wait to bring their vision alive and share it with the customers of Warrington.
He continued: “After viewing the location at Time Square, we knew immediately it was the perfect spot for us to launch our concept of quality, laid back food and drink built for the community.
“It’s a thriving destination and we’re confident that our brand will fit in perfectly here. We want Parlour to be a place everyone feels at home and to share our passion for good food.”
Grade II listed pub reopens after 3-week revamp
The Grade II village pub the Old Mill in Kennington, Ashford reopened on Thursday 7 July with a new look and refreshed menu after a three-week refurbishment.
The early 19th century venue, which is part of Shepherd Neame’s estate, will showcase a full internal redecoration, improved lighting and a remodelled bar area when it reopens its doors. It also has new seating and planters outside in the courtyard area and grassed area.
The Old Mill general manager Jon Haile said: “Customers will be surprised by how different it looks – we have really brightened up the place. It has more of a warmer feel to it.
“We’ve always been a friendly pub, but we wanted to create a more welcoming, open atmosphere, so people feel able to just pop in and share a bottle of wine on the way home or some nibbles, without booking for a meal. It should feel like a nice relaxed, social place to be.”
Brunning & Price co-founder launches fourth site
Multiple operator Pubs Limited has opened the fourth pub in its portfolio – the Henry Potts in Chester.
The pubco, which is operated by Jerry Brunning – the co-founder of Brunning & Price – has taken on the Watergate Street site that was formerly known as the Big Hand Alehouse and, before that, the Fat Cat.
Licensee Jonney Cox, who launched Pubs Limited site the Hare, in Farndon two years ago, will head up the Henry Potts.
Cox said: “We have an exciting offer with ‘Potts’. Everyone loves a village pub, and we see Potts working in the same way – as a top-class local pub in the city while being very welcoming to visitors.”
Watergate House is a grade II-listed Georgian property built in 1820 for Henry Potts, clerk of the peace for Cheshire.
The refurbishment includes a state-of-the-art kitchen while the pub has retained many original features such as intimate alcoves, beams, posts and original floorboards.
A modern British food menu has been created by chef Rob McDiarmid, which incorporates typical traditional classics with more contemporary cookery, all using locally sourced fresh produce and made in-house – including the ice cream.
Read more here
RedCat acquires two Berkeley Inns sites
The investment vehicle found and chaired by former Greene King boss Rooney Anand, RedCat Pub Company has bought two pubs from Berkeley Inns.
One of the pubs – the Meynell Ingram Arms in Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire was reopened by Berkeley Inns three years ago.
The pub was previously closed for more than five years and has since undergone a refurbishment.
The other site – the Cock Inn, Mugginton in Derbyshire – reopened in 2016 after being extended and renovated.
RedCat announced earlier this month (July), it’s subsidary The Coaching Inn Group had acquired the Forest Park Country Hotel and Inn on the edge of Brockenhurst, Hampshire.
On the announcement, Berkeley Inns managing director Howard Thacker said: “We acquired the Meynell and Cock Inn when both had been closed for five and 10 years respectively and following much renovation and extension, gave them new life.
“Both are fantastic and bustling pubs serving their local communities and visitors from afar. So, of course, we’re very sad to see them leave the Berkeley Inns family but are confident RedCat will do a fabulous job continuing or surpassing their current success.
“Berkeley Inns will now seek new acquisitions in the Midlands and London area and continue to grow the business.”
Read more here
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