Thornbridge injects £1m into new Sheffield site
Thornbridge & Co has announced they will be opening the Fargate in Sheffield City Center.
Operating three pubs, the Market Cat in York, the Bankers Cat in Leeds and the Colmore in Birmingham, Thornbridge has been operating since 2018.
Director Jamie Hawksworth stated: “The Fargate is going to be one of Sheffield’s most prominent pubs with over £1m of investment being made on the new bespoke interior.”
He continued: “This is going to be a wonderful showcase for The Brewery and its beers will be served over a beautiful polished oak island bar surrounded by hand crafted oak panelling and leather banquet seating.
“We think it will be a great boost to the great work all ready been made to make the City Centre great again. Work is expected to start on the fit-out later this year with an opening date yet to be announced.”
Fellow Director, Simon Webster also commented: “We have been working with Sheffield City Council for over a year in identifying this site and then working together to offer outdoor seating as part of the new Fargate development. The views from both inside and out of this prestigious building will add to the customer experience.”
He continued: “Thornbridge & Co is delighted to be able to invest in Sheffield City Centre and is delighted to be part of the new development of Fargate and create a great gateway to Heart of The City”
Heartwood procures historic pub from Marstons
Pub with rooms operator Heartwood Collection has announced the procurement of an 18th century pub from Marstons with plans to implement a multi-million-pound refurbishment.
The award-winning group has acquired the Woodman in Palmers Green, Enfield, London, which will undergo an “extensive” renovation to create 150 internal covers with a further 60 external covers at the venue.
Originally two adjoining cottages built in 1727, the pub first started serving guests under the watchful eye of retired police officer Henry Wale in 1868.
The historic pub is well-known locally and is reputed to have one of the smallest bars in England, Heartwood said.
Expected to open in summer 2025, the group, which is backed by Alchemy Partners, said its refurbishment would preserve the pub’s listed features while introducing its signature style and seasonally changing menu.
The Woodman joins Heartwood’s recent acquisitions of the Royal Forest, Epping Forest and the Prince of Wales, East Barnet in North East London and continues its ambitious plan to grow to more than 60 sites with a turnover of £133m by 2027.
Heartwood CEO Richard Ferrier said: “We’re delighted to have been able to acquire this charming pub which has clearly been central to and much loved by the local community for so long.
“We have been looking at the Woodman for a number of years and feel it will make an outstanding Heartwood Inn.”
Earlier this month, the pubco, which operates 25 pubs and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants, also opened its second pub with rooms, the Ropemaker in Emsworth, West Sussex.
The next site to be launched by Heartwood, which won two awards at the Publican Awards earlier this year, is set to be the White Hart in Lewes, East Sussex, in October.
Be At One pumps £800k into second Liverpool site
Cocktail bar brand Be At One is set to open its second Liverpool location, following an £800,000 cash injection.
The new cocktail bar, which is part of Stonegate Group, located on the city’s North John Street, aims to have innovative features, high-energy atmosphere and an enhanced customer experience.
With space for 300 guests, the site hosts a designated area for cocktail masterclasses and has introduced a party mirror in the ladies’ toilets, which changes music and reveals a hidden screen with video content when guests press the right button. Elsewhere in the venue, there will also be a selfie wall alongside a photobooth.
Read more here.
Hertfordshire pub company takes on third pub with star
Hertfordshire-based pub operator Fishermann Pub Group has taken a five-year lease on fourth pub in the county, The Bull at Whitewell. The site is set to close this week for a combined £260,000 refurbishment. Fisherman pub Group has said it has the ability to generate the company’s size to eight sites.
Both the garden and exterior of the property in set to be renovated, with new planting and outside furniture to seat 92 customers.
Interiors will include William Morris style wallpaper, with a traditional bar and a snug with seating for up to 12 people. Traditional features are also set to be preserved with both timber flooring and wooden beams on show. Energy efficiency measures are also in place which are set to boost the sites overall sustainability.
Fisherman pub Group has said it has the capacity to double the companys size to eight sites.
Fishermann Pub Group co-founder Pete Mann said: “Leased pubs are the only option for smaller operators in Hertfordshire now. On the rare occasions an attractive freehold pub comes on the market, it’s snapped up by investors. We hope to take more pubs with Star; we enjoy working with them, they’re open and transparent and we’ve had a great partnership for many years.”
Investment Manager for Star Pubs Matt Cornwell said: “Investment is key to keeping pubs open and thriving, especially in a competitive market when consumer spending is under pressure.
He continued: “Star’s pubs are predominantly premium locals, so Fishermann’s business model is a great fit. They’re at the forefront of the premium local sector; they deliver to a high standard and are always ahead of the game in terms of their offer.
“Having turned round other struggling pubs in Hertfordshire, Fishermann have a proven track record. The Bull is getting the full works. It will be a fantastic local for villagers providing great food and drink on their doorsteps without the need to travel.”
Green King opens sixth Nest pub
Greene King’s leased, tenanted and franchised arm Pub Partners has opened its sixth Nest Pub following a £260,000 investment with plans to reach a 10-strong estate by the end of 2024.
The Marquis of Lorne in Stevenage, Hertfordshire received a cash injection of more than a quarter of a million pounds to turn it into a Nest Pub. Read more here.
Also this month, Doolin Rock Pub Company has opened its second pub with Greene King Pub Partners following a six-figure investment.
The growing pub business, which was founded by Colin Coogan and Austin Whelan, has taken on the Waggon & Horses in Newmarket after a £300k injection to transform the pub. Read more here.
Loungers opens biggest Bristol bar
All day café-bar group Loungers opened its biggest Lounge so far in Bristol on Wednesday 17 July.
Ritorno Lounge on the city’s harbourside has an outside terrace that overlooks Pero’s Bridge as well as a 10.5-metre-long feature bar, a mural that pays homage to Lounges across the nation.
Furthermore, in a first for Lounges, the site has its own private dining room.
The site will have the group’s trademark lighting, oversized vintage sofas, upholstered chairs and eclectic artwork. Read more here.
Punch expands leased and tenated estate
Punch Pubs & Co has acquired a traditional town pub, which will form part of the group’s leased and tenanted estate.
The White Swan in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire will see new publican Macauley Bowers take the helm on his first pub venture with Punch.
A traditional pub, the White Swan houses a spacious lounge bar and games area with six letting rooms, as well as private function facilities and a generous outdoor area. Read more here.
Nicholson's reopens London pub
The Magpie in Bishopgate has recently reopened after a detailed refurbishment. Highlights include a reworked nest bar, an extensive drinks menu.
Located near Liverpool Street Station, the site has retained it’s original layout and extended it’s beverage options to include a gin menu, cocktails, real ales and spritz. Food options offered range from British Steak and Nicholson’s Pale Ale Pie and Nicholson’s Fish and Chips.
General manager David Stark said: “We are really pleased to be opening our doors once again to all our guests. We have always prided ourselves on being a great pub in the heart of the City and we are looking forward to showing everybody not only our new and improved Main Bar but also our brand new 1st-floor Nest Bar, which will have a more casual drink vibe with a larger range of drinks available.’’
He continued: “Following the extensive refurbishment and significant investment made at the pub, our team have been fully trained and will offer all our guests a wonderful pub experience and as always fantastic service.”
Brakspear purchases the George Public House
WH Brakspear & Sons, is set to purchase the freehold interest in The George Public House.
Located in the centre of the Bedfordshire village of Maulden, the site was taken over by couple Julian and Emma Smith in 2011. The pub has since undergone a complete refurbishment and is a community centered site. With a landscaped beer garden, restaurant with 120 covers and private function room with seating from 18 to 24 people. The pub also has seven en suite rooms and is seeking planning permission to build five added bedrooms.
Parting owner, Emma Smith said “The pub was a wreck when we bought it, but we replaced everything from the plumbing, electrics and the layout, built a new carpark and created a two-bed flat for a tenant. We then commissioned talented Birmingham-based, pub interior designers, Spencer Swinden, to create contemporary and cosy spaces to drink, eat and stay to a high spec.”
Brakspear CEO, Tom Davies added, “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of The George at Maulden. It will be a fantastic addition to our estate.”
The proposed universal studios site is within 13 miles and the pub also lies within reasonable distance of attractions such as centre parks, Wobun safari park and Wobun Abbey deer park.
The George is situated eight miles south of Bedford and 13 miles from Luton, in a popular tourist spot, the nearest station is Fitwick with accessible connection to London St pancreas.
Emma Smith continued: “It’s been an amazing journey, particularly as we had no previous experience in hospitality when we started out. We’ve absolutely loved every minute of our time at The George, but Julian and I are now ready to move on to our next adventure, which we’re currently deciding on.”
Community to invest in local pub
Fleurets announces the completion of the Builders Arms in Teddington. The leisure property specialists have sold the freehold interest to local resident who aims to reopen the site following an investment.
The new owner intends to refurb the public house into a community led pub.
Director and Head of National Agency of Fleurets James Davies said, “We are delighted to have facilitated the sale of the Builders Arms to a dedicated local resident. This transaction highlights the continued demand for well-located pubs and the vibrant potential they hold for their local communities. We look forward to seeing the Builders Arms thrive under its new ownership.”
Incoming Landlord of the Builders Arms Barry Wilson said, “As a long-standing resident of Teddington, I am excited to bring new life to the Builders Arms and create a welcoming venue for locals to gather, enjoy a few drinks in a nice atmosphere and celebrate our local community. I can’t wait to get started on the transformation and welcome everyone back to their local pub.”
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