Admiral injects £150k into city pub
The Imperial Bar in Glasgow reopened on Tuesday 3 December following a £150,000 refurbishment.
The pub is part of Proper Pubs, the community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns.
The refurbishment included a complete redecoration, with new fixtures, fittings and an upgraded entertainment system incorporating new televisions combined with a new karaoke offering.
New lighting and signage have also been installed externally.
Operators Alex McMullan and Karen Joyce, who have a combined 20 years of experience in the industry, said they were “looking forward” to welcoming customers back.
McMullan and Joyce said: “The pub is looking absolutely fantastic already and it’s been amazing to see how quickly the vision has come to life.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming all our customers back to show off the pub’s new look and everything it has to offer.”
To celebrate the reopening, the Imperial will host a weekend of live music from Friday 6 December.
Moving forward, the pub will showcase a busy schedule of entertainment including regular karaoke, quiz nights every other Thursday and live music on Sundays.
They also hope to introduce frequent fundraising events for local charities and initiatives.
Proper Pubs operations director Matthew Gurney said: “I am very excited to see The Imperial Bar reopen and I’m delighted to welcome Alex and Karen as the operators.
“The pub is looking incredible and we are just putting those final touches together to make sure the pub is ready to welcome the community back.
“On behalf of the Proper Pubs team, we would like to wish Alex and Karen every inch of success for the future in making The Imperial Bar a fantastic community pillar.”
Chilterns freehold pub on the market
Fleurets have introduced The Pink & Lily in Parslow’s Hillock, near Lacey Green, Buckinghamshire to the freehold market.
The freehold is available for £600,0008 and the pub is said to have been frequented by World War I poet Rupert Brooke.
The two-storey property has multiple trading areas, a large kitchen and a beer garden with space for up to 40 people, The site also offers a car park with up to 30 spaces.
In addition, the property includes three double bedrooms and is situated on a 0.41-acre site.
Fleurets divisional director Elysia Wilson- Gunn said: “The Pink & Lily is a remarkable property, rich in heritage and character, with an enviable location in the Chilterns.
“Its connection to Poet Rupert Brooke adds a timeless charm, making it not just a pub, but a piece of history.
“We’re delighted to bring such a rare freehold to the market, one that offers both historical significance and exciting potential for new owners.”
Cotswold pub reopens for 300th anniversary
The Bakers Arms in Broad Campden has reopened in time for its 300th anniversary.
The Grade II listed pub had been closed since early 2024 after the previous landlord and landlady retired.
It was bought by local villagers Richard and Gail Smith, who have planned to restore the site as well as improve the garden and dining facilities.
The 19th century inn is leased to and managed in a joint venture arrangement with Cotswold caterers, the Relish Group, the Smiths, and local residents Stephen and Charlotte Gabb.
Experienced head chef and consultant, Chris Heather, has designed a new menu for the site, incorporating pub classics alongside more contemporary offerings.
New part owner of the site, Stephen Gabb commented on the new menu ideas, he said: “His roasted duck breast, confit leg, blackberry and potato terrine, is a testemant to what we were looking to do here.”
He added the ‘Baker’s focaccia’, was also a stand out item on the menu.
Award-winning licensee expands portfolio
Amy Glenie has taken on her second Shepherd Neame pub, the Royal Sovereign in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Her husband, Jordan Foster, is set to manage the site.
Glenie has been running the Blue Anchor in Crowborough, East Sussex since 2018 and has won numerous awards, including Shepherd Neame Pub of the Year in 2022 and two Beautiful South Awards.
Afer six years at The Blue Anchor, she said she was “excited to expand” to East Sussex.
The Royal Sovereign has been redecorated and had a new menu introduced incorporating light bites.
The couple also plan to convert the first floor into a restaurant, named the Rock and Coral.
The refurbishment also saw the ground floor bar converted to a gallery kitchen.
Dishes on the menu include prawn and scallop toast, bao buns with togarashi kewpie mayo; beef onglet tacos; DIY platter and tartiflette doughnuts.
The Royal Sovereign also offers a range of drinks including Shephard Neame’s award-winning ales and lagers as well as a selection of premium wine and spirits.
Glenie said: “The Blue Anchor is well established, so we were looking for a new challenge, and when we saw The Royal Sovereign was available, it seemed the perfect opportunity.
“It is a fantastic building in a great location with lots of potential, and it is also just a short walk away from our new home.”
Loungers opens its fourth Brightside
Brightside is part of a purpose-built retail development of four units which sit adjacent to an established petrol station and also a new bakery.
The site is located alongside the main route from Peterborough to Grantham and was opened Friday November 22.
Brightside Ram Jam follows the opening of Brightside Exeter which was in February 2023, with Brightside Saltash and Honiton opening in June and August, later that year.
Read more here
Immersive bar concept opens in London
On Friday 1 November The 1 Bar opened its doors at 18 Appold Street, in Finsbury, Greater London, inviting the public to an immersive late-night cocktail experience.
The venue boasted live music performances featuring talent from West End shows and offered experiential cocktails crafted by world-class mixologists.
The bar concept was introduced by Dimitar Petkanov, a 35-year-old “hospitality veteran”.
Petkanov said: “We’re not just opening another bar, we’re creating a destination where the art of mixology meets the vibrancy of live music, offering an unparalleled experience for London’s discerning professionals and music enthusiasts.”
With the aim of bringing people together through live music and entertainment, The 1 Bar offers DJs and live singers will perform and interact with guests, with a varied music selection.
The bar menu showcases a range of classic cocktails, with interiors centred around luxury and decadence.
Having a capacity of 180 people, The 1 Bar also offers exclusive hires, including event packages for corporates, private celebrations and socials.
Roseacre pub company acquires seventh site with star pubs
Midlands-based Roseacre pub company has taken on a seventh pub with Star pubs to its estate, bringing their total number of sites to 10.
The company has taken on the Roseycombe located in Binley Woods near Coventry, Warwickshire.
Roseacre Pub Company and Star Pubs are jointly investing £350,000 in refurbishing the Roseycombe.
The site is set to reopen in time for Christmas, initially as a wet-led pub and is set to create 25 new jobs. Food is set to be introduced at the pub in early January.
The refurbishment will include an extensive internal makeover, with a new dining area, barista coffee machine, a carvery and a refitted kitchen.
Externally, the garden area will offer eight seater dining pods, an outside bar and heated patio covered with a stretch tent available for private functions.
Internally the site will offer a snug, lounge and new dining area. The kitchen is also set to be refitted and have a new carvery installed, with Sunday roasts available on the menu.
Roseacre Pub Company owner Ash Garthshore said: “Sales are up year-on-year and have been relatively buoyant over the summer, despite the poor weather, with excess demand at times.
“Our customer base wants to go out and has the disposable income to do so. Our mantra of selling good food in a great environment at an affordable price is hitting the spot.”
Read more here.
Check out the previous property round up here.
To be featured in The Morning Advertiser’s Property round up, please send details and high-res landscapes to felicity.giles@wrbm.com.
