Lancashire operator adds 12th pub to portfolio
Lancashire multiple operators Open Brewers, has added the Queens Arms, its sixth Star Pub’s leasehold to its pub estate, which is now comprised of 12 pubs.
The operator’s other Star Pubs are made up of the: Penwortham; Pear tree, Red Lion, Longton; The Stanley Arms, Preston; The Fox & Lion, Leyland, and The Crofters Arms in Leyland.
The Queens Arms is set to receive an £114,000 revamp and will reopen in mid-August as a wet led community local. Three new jobs will also be created because of the investment, which is envisioned to create the best pub outdoor area in Kirkham town centre.
The investment will see a complete renovation of the exterior, including new signage, lighting and also furniture for pavement drinking and also new café barriers. A covered courtyard area with TV and seating will lead to the pub’s beer garden, where there will be new garden furniture and umbrellas. The outdoor seating capacity is being extended by 43% to 112.
Inside, the pub will undergo a complete redecoration, curating a smarter atmosphere. The layout will consist of a lounge, tap room and bar and seating will be increased from 45 to 57.
Daniel says: “We’ve grown our estate organically, driven by the individual potential of a pub rather than by expansion targets. We’re always looking to recruit staff.
We then find the pubs for our managers to run. The success of our business has been built around putting the right people in the right pubs to create something that works for each local community. We still have the same management in our first pubs because our choices are the right ones, and we look after staff. We see Open Brewers as a team business, where staff members have a voice. We do a lot of training identifying trends. It’s essential to look outside of the box and keep evolving the business.
“Business is unpredictable at the moment. It doesn’t mean there isn’t the trade, it’s just that you have to be the best you can be as people are more selective nowadays. It’s not a question of offering cheap drinks. You need to make people want to come out and socialise, to provide a great environment inside and out and to provide excellent service all the time.”
Says Star Pubs Area Manager, Richie Roberts: “We’re delighted to be supporting Daniel and his team realise their vision for the Queens Arms, taking it to the next level. They’ve taken time getting to know the pub and the area in which it operates ensuring that their offer meets the needs of the community. The investment in the pub chimes perfectly with the upgrade in the high street.”
Operator takes on second site with Greene King
Operator of the Mayflower in Rotherhithe, Paul Graham has taken on his second site with Greene King Pub Partners, the tenanted, leased and franchise division of Greene King.
Graham, has taken on the Three Stags in Kennington as a tenant with Greene King.
Located in of London, at the intersection of Kennington Road and Lambeth Road, the Three Stags has recently received a £265,000 joint investment from Greene King and Graham in anticipation of its re-opening.
The pub has received both an internal and external refurb due to the investment. Within, the sites upper floors have opened up to generate a larger restaurant space as well as a new kitchen ready to serve a food driven offer at the pub.
Outside, the externals of the pub have been upgraded whilst maintaining the pubs unique heritage, by refurbishing the existing ornate signage at the pub.
The pub has a claim to fame as being frequented by members of the Chaplin family, including Charlie Chaplin’s father and Charles Chaplin Senior.
The venue will serve typically British pub food with systematic specials and premium drinks options available, including Greene King Hazy Day, Estrella Galicia and Greene King Level Head with other craft beer.
Graham said: “I’m delighted to be opening my second pub with Greene King and growing this partnership.
"Like The Mayflower, the Three Stags is a pub rich in history and so it is a great fit for me and the team.
"The investment in the pub includes a new kitchen, which is key, as the pub will be food driven for us, but still serving the great beer and other drinks you’d expect of a quintessential British pub.”
Revamped Selly Park local reopens
The Selly Park Tavern has welcomed pub-goers back through the door following an almost 3-week refurbishment
Showcasing a more contemporary aesthetic, the makeover has seen the pub experience a total transformation.
Close to Edgbaston Cricket Ground, located in Selly Park and Cannon Hill Park, the pub offers a refreshed bar, new furnishings and an expanded dining space are some of the changes made to the establishment.
Also serving up quality food, The Selly Park Tavern offers a fixed price menu with three courses available for £11.49 running from 12pm until 5pm from Monday to Friday and £14.79 after 5pm from Monday to Friday.
The pub has also updated its menu to include a wide range of new dishes, including Chicken Schnitzel, Rainbow Lasagne a Cheese and Bacon Burger, and steaks. Roasts are also available every Saturday. With a fixed price Sunday lunch menu up to three courses on offer.
General manager Colette Quinn said: “We’re thrilled to welcome guests, both familiar faces and new friends, to experience our pub’s new look, whilst keeping the cosy feel of The Selly Park Tavern we all know and love.”
The venue is dog friendly with a popular pub quiz hosted every Wednesday at 8pm.
Heritage pub secures future with new finance
The Devil’s Stone Inn, a landmark pub in Shebbear, Devon is raising a glass after securing a new finance deal with Allica Bank.
The venue, renowned for being one of the UK’s most haunted pubs, was purchased by Suzy Cremer when she, along with her husband Lee, decided to leave city life and relocate to the country in April 2021.
The establishment has since become an integral part of the local community, with pool and darts tournaments as well as live music.
Since purchasing the Devil’s Stone, Lee and Suzy have invested in a complete makeover. This has included the installation of a kitchen, serving up locally-sourced food as well as developing five rooms to accommodate guests. The pub has a 5 star kitchen rating and a listing in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Cremer decided to connect with Matt West at business bank Allica, to explore ways to reduce costs. Business bank, built especially for established businesses with between 5 and 250 employees.
By refinancing with the company, and has managed to gain an expensive bridging loan, consequently saving around £1,000 a month, generating financial head-room for the business.
Owner of The Devil’s Stone Inn, Suzy Cremer, said: “Taking on the Devil’s Stone has been a dream come true and we’re so grateful to the Shebbear community for welcoming us into the village and their support as we’ve built this pub into a real community hub.
“When I first purchased the pub, it was during the pandemic and there was little appetite from the mainstream lenders to issue commercial mortgages to hospitality, especially as I had no previous experience. I had little option but to use expensive bridging finance to help secure the additional funds I needed.
“This left us with huge monthly repayments. But thankfully, with Matt’s help, refinancing with Allica Bank has taken that pressure off. We now have the headroom to start thinking about next steps for the pub, including further investment in our accommodation and an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven so that more people can enjoy the pub and its beautiful outlook over the countryside.”
Relationship Manager for the South West at Allica Bank, Matt West said: “We’re proud to have worked with Suzy to secure a brighter future for this iconic pub. The Devil’s Stone Inn is central to the community in Shebbear and is an amazing slice of local history.
“It’s been a pleasure to offer the business better terms than it’d previously had. Local pubs and hospitality are under huge pressure already and we’re delighted to have been able to take some of that pressure off.”
The Tooting Tavern Set To Open This Summer
Family-friendly pub, The Tooting Tavern, will be serving guests from Thursday 18th July.
Freshly renovated and showcasing a new menu, guests can enjoy a pizza oven and local favourites including a burger and steak night, seasonal specials and Sunday roasts each week.
With a new covered garden showcasing an outside TV and freshly decked seating area.
The establishment will broadcast a variety of sports showing inside and out. The drinks menu has also been designed to include a craft beer range, rotating cask ales, new cocktails, and weekly drink deals.
Popular weekly events will include the weekly quiz night every Thursday at 8 pm, along with weekly live music events.
The venue will be family and dog-friendly and will be hosting a free entry family fun day on Saturday, July 27th, from 12-3 pm, showcasing free food and drink, outdoor games with prizes, face painting, and a balloon maker.
As well as a DJ, make-your-own pizza sessions, and pop-ups from other local businesses. Other attractions will also be available.
Ahead of the opening, 15 new jobs have been created for the local area, the venue will officially be ready and open from Thursday 18th July.
New leasehold opportunity opens up in Glynde
The leasehold of the Trevor Arms, situated in Glynde, has been brought to market by Fleurets and is available on a new Free of Tie lease at a guide rent of £45,000.
P.A of Glynde Estates, Nick Jones commented, “The Trevor Arms very much sits within the core of Glynde village which is predominately owned by Glynde Estates.
This is an exciting opportunity to re-energise, develop and operate this important building in the heart of our community and a beautiful part of the South Downs National Park.
Glynde Estates is a long term business, and we hope to establish a similarly long term relationship with an operator who can make this a successful business that integrates with and enhances our special community.”
Nick Earee, Divisional Director of Fleurets South added, “The Trevor Arms is located in a highly desirable historic village with character trading areas and timber floors.
It offers spacious accommodation with a large enclosed garden, this really presents a very exciting opportunity.”
Dodo brings portfolio up to 9 sites
Neighbourhood pub specialists the Dodo Pub Company has announced an expansion to its operations with the takeover of the White House in Oxford.
The move brings the company’s estate up to nine in total, with four across Oxford, and the company has plans to give the pub a fresh identity, reopening it in September with a new name, the Slow and Steady.
The company said it would work closely with the previous owners, Tap Social, to “continue championing the independent spirit of the Grandpont and New Hinksey neighbourhoods” of Oxford.
Read more here.
Czech style brought to London pub
London-based brewer Bohem has announced the opening of their second site after taking on the lease of pub in Finsbury Park.
The company has reopened the Nicholas Nickleby pub following an extensive refurbishment and will run it as a sister venue to the original Bohem Brewery Tap Room in Bowes Park.
The new pub will be serving a range of beers from the Tottenham-based brewery, all brewed in an authentic Czech style, and served from 10 Lukr side-pour taps imported from a Czech manufacturer.
Read more here.
Freehold for Swallow Inn now on the market
Fleurets has brought to the freehold for the Swallow Inn in Swallow Nr Caistor, Lincolnshire, to market.
Mainly a food led business, the Swallow Inn provides private functions, a full restaurant service and a variety of snack and bar meals. Situated on 0.92 acres offering a car park, beer garden and patio area.
Internally the establishment offers 92 cover restaurants as well as private three bedroomed living accommodation a lounge and bar area.
The pub has attracted a local customer base, with food trade attracted from areas such as Grimsby, Cleethorpes, and Humberside Airport.
Fleurets head of agency North Simon Hall said: “The Swallow Inn presents a fantastic opportunity to build and develop the existing trade. “The local bar operation, the large restaurant, the substantial garden and car park can all be utilised.”
- Check out the previous property round-up here
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