PROPERTY ROUND-UP
Roxy Leisure opens second Nottingham site
Roxy Leisure opens second Nottingham site
Competitive socialising brand Roxy Leisure has officially opened its second site and first Roxy Lanes venue in Nottingham.
The site boasts a range of activities including American pool, beer pong, karaoke rooms, batting cages, shuffleboard, tech darts and ice-free curling.
Guests can also enjoy live Sky Sports Games as well as Roxy Leisure’s “signature” rock and indie playlist and a range of food and drinks, including hand-stretched pizzas and Roxy Dogs plus classic cocktails.
While the brand’s first bar in the city, Roxy Ball Room: The Cornerhouse, is an over 18s only venue, the new Roxy Lanes site, which will open seven days a week, will allow under 18s until 5pm.
Roxy Leisure commercial manager Joel Mitchell said: “Roxy Lanes has officially landed in Nottingham.
“We’re really pleased to be able to bring our Roxy Lanes concept to the city of Nottingham and are confident guests will love it just as much as our Cornerhouse site.
“The new venue features a wide range of our signature activities but will also be family-friendly seven days a week, meaning everyone can come down and enjoy.”
South Yorkshire operators invest in second Star site
The Black Bull in Ecclesfield will re open at the end of July following a lengthy closure and a joint £198k investment into renovating the property.
It marks the sixth lease for South Yorkshire pub operators Simon Woodcock and Richard Hepplestone, and their second with Star Pubs, as the duo look to build an estate of ten sites in the region.
Hepplestone commented: “We prefer the community to the town centre market. Overheads like business rates are lower; there’s less competition from managed chains with deep pockets, and if you invest time in getting to know your customers you can build up a loyal following of regulars."
In addition, Heppleston said leasing pubs was "essential" for the expansion plans.
“The expense of buying pubs is too great to build up a volume of sites. The Black Bull has loads of potential but we couldn’t have considered it without Star’s financial backing, which will refurbish the pub to the high standard customers now expect at their local.
"We’ve worked collaboratively but their project team is doing the heavy lifting required in terms of undertaking the works, enabling us to continue to focus on operating our other pubs. We are already considering a further project with them", he explained.
Highlights from the renovation project include a games room showing Sky Sports and spacious garden as well as a carpeted lounge and bar.
A menu of pub classics including pizzas, burgers and pies will also be on offer at the traditional old stone pub, which has been predicted to generate 10% of its sales.
Star Pubs investment manager for Yorkshire, Lorna Willoughby added: “Simon and Richard have a real expertise in community locals in South Yorkshire. They’re passionate about developing great pubs and are ideal operators for the Black Bull. The Ecclesfield pub scene struggled post the pandemic but is now seeing a resurgence, and we’re pleased to be able to play our part in that.”
Multimillion-pound investment from Heartwood
Heartwood collection has re-opened the Rising Sun in Reading following an extensive multimillion-pound refurbishment.
The original bar has been refinished with a new conservatory linking the original pub to the old stables, which have been converted with space for up to 110 diners, in line with Heartwood's signature warm and quirky style featuring upholstered banquettes, snugs and feature wallpapers.
Outside, the car park has been converted into a garden for up to 100 covers including a shepherds hut bar, eight heated dining pods and pergolas.
The team at the Sustainable Restaurant Association three star rated business will be led by experienced general manager Ben Donald and Head Chef Ravi Patel.
Offering seasonally sourced menus with a curated wine list, local cask ales, beers and cocktails. A children’s menu is also available. Heartwood Collection, CEO Richard Ferrier said: “We are very excited to have re-opened this iconic pub in the heart of Reading. The oldest
pub in the town, we have really enjoyed restoring this property and hope the people of Reading like it as much as we do.”
Fullers reopens London hotel after refurb
Following a recent refurbishment, the Head of the River has reopened, situated on the banks of the Thames. Sporting a bar, riverside dining area, garden and 19 newly refurbished rooms.
The River bar offers a variety of premium beers, wines, spirits and alcohol free options with a mixed menu including pub classics and grill dishes. The River is Fullers first official electric hotel, with a journey towards 100% renewable electricity, equipment and all other appliances throughout the pub and hotel are powered by electricity. With a focus on sustainability, The Head of the River is a Green Tourism Bronze Award winner.
General manager, David Oram said: “I’m delighted to reopen The Head of the River fully. Our beautiful riverside dining area, bar and garden reopened earlier in the spring and it’s been wonderful seeing so many people back dining and drinking with us. But now we can offer the full experience with newly refurbished bedrooms.
"They’ve all been transformed and modernised, to offer the highest level of comfort in the heart of Oxford, so make sure you book a night with us – in one of our famous Oxonian rooms. My team and I look forward to welcoming you.”
Greene King Pub Partners duo take on third lease
Cheshire-based multiple operators have taken on their third lease with Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted and franchised division of Greene King.
Lisa Salter and Lee Montgomery have reopened the Swan Inn in Wilmslow, previously known as the Anthology, after a joint £170,000 joint investment by them and pub owner Greene King.
The duo opened their first pub in partnership with Greene King Pub Partners in 2018.
Read more here.
Star vows to invest £4.6m into garden renovations
Star Pubs has pledged to invest £4.6m into revamping the gardens and outside areas of its pubs this year with 156 pubs set to benefit.
The pubco said its redecoration projects would focus on “reflecting and promoting each pub’s internal offer to passersby via its external look and signage”.
Some 70 building makeovers will be carried out, each costing £38,000 on average.
These will include new signs, lighting and planting plus additions such as feature entrances and cladding to enhance kerb appeal.
Star’s added its budget for outside spaces would include upgrades to gardens at 86 pubs , concentrating on developing areas that will generate additional trade at least nine months of the year and during “wet British summers”.
As part of the initiative, Star’s project teams have undergone training in what a pub’s exterior communicates.
Read more here.
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