Blind Tiger Inns snaps up 2 pubs with Star
The pubs are the Argyll & Sutherland in Eastham, Wirral, and the Towneley Arms Hotel in Longridge, Lancashire.
The venues will undergo joint makeovers totalling £340,000 before opening under Blind Tiger’s management, increasing the operator’s estate to 20 sites – 19 of which are with Star.
Furthermore, the new sites will create 22 new jobs.
Blind Tiger Inns managing director Christ Tulloch said: “The flexibility to invest like this is a benefit of partnering with Star.
“Having worked with them for more than a decade, we have a strong relationship built on trust. They understand our business, which makes agreeing new deals very straightforward.”
The sites will be upgraded into premium locals specialising in sports and entertainment. Each pub will have a bar, a lounge area, and a dedicated sports zone kitted out with a new pool table, darts throws and big screens showing TNT and Sky Sports.
The sites will also have café-style seating at the front as well as a garden area.
Revamps
While Star will financially back both revamps, Blind Tiger Inns will undertake the projects using their preferred local designers and contractors.
Star operations director David Pritchard said the pub company was “delighted” to be developing more sites with Blind Tiger Inns in a “mutually beneficial partnership”.
He added: “They are incredibly creative and know how to deliver exceptional locals that keep up with customers’ changing tastes and appeal to all. Importantly, they’ve developed a strong pub management team, so the service is phenomenal.”
A large selection of drinks, from premium brands to traditional favourites, will also be on offer at the wet-led venues.
New features to both venues will include booth seating, modern wall art, timber flooring and designer lighting.
Built in 1956, the Argyll & Sutherland will be refurbished to the standard and look of a city centre bar. The Towneley Arms, which dates back to 1848, will be upgraded throughout with a contemporary décor using heritage colours.
Despite the cost-of-living crisis and the challenges of inflation and high energy prices, Tulloch says it’s “business as usual” at Blind Tiger Inns and he remained positive about the outlook for pubs.
Strong investment
He continued: ““We’ve made no cutbacks and have continued to give our customers the great experience they know and love when they come to our pubs.
“We’ve invested in the best glassware, revisited our wine and gin menus, revamped gardens and kept up our maintenance programme, so our pubs look as good as ever.
“As a result, our volumes are in growth, albeit increased costs have dented profits. We’re confident we’ll emerge from this tough period as a strong business and will recoup our profit margins as energy prices settle down.”
Looking to the future Tulloch said Blind Tiger Inns was open to taking on new sites if they presented the right opportunities. Any expansion would be driven by leased pubs.
“We like the flexibility of leasing and the stable overhead of rents that are fixed for five years compared to the risks and uncertainty of property ownership,” he added.
