NEOS Hospitality has acquired the former Vodka Revolution on Christchurch Street located in Bournemouth.
The site is set to undergo a £1.5m refurbishment and will reopen as Barbara’s Bier Haus scheduled at the end of March.
Expansion plans
The company has said this will be one of their core brands, an après ski themed party bar. Works on the venue have already begun and will continue over the next coming months.
The acquisition means their venue count is at 19, further expanding their presence in the south of the UK.
NEOS Hospitality also runs the sites, Cameo and Myu in Bournemouth.
Growth strategy
This acquisition and multi-million-pound investment marks a key point in NEOS’s ongoing evolution and mission to establish the next generation party bar venues.
Chief executive officer of the brand Russel Quelch said: “This acquisition is an exciting step forward for NEOS and expands our brand portfolio across key UK locations in line with our growth strategy”.
Quelch added: “Barbara’s, which opens in March, transforms the venue into a vibrant social bar channelling Alpine vibes in the heart of Bournemouth. We are confident this will add a taste of Apres Ski to the South Coast.”
NEOS Hospitality currently operates 19 venues across the UK. Its core brands include Bonnie Rogues, Barbara’s Bier Haus, and Circuit, leading the way in redefining the UK’s late-night hospitality scene
Oxfam launches ‘The Fair Pour’ pub highlighting wealth inequality
Oxfam is opening a pop-up pub named ‘The Fair Pour’ for one day, where the price of a drink depends on a customer’s wealth.
The pub, which opens in Holborn, London on Tuesday 21 January, coincides with the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The charity hopes to highlight increasing inequality and rally people to join the fight for a fairer future, as the gap between the super-rich and the remainder of the world continues to expand.
Pub with a difference
At the site, more affluent customers are encouraged to pay prices that reflect their individual wealth, highlighting how a fairer tax system could ultimately help tackle inequality.
Oxfam senior campaigns manager, Kelly Mundy said: “Wealth inequality is the shocking reality of our society, and a reality that’s worsening every year.
It’s time for bold solutions like progressive taxation and investment in public services to create a more equal playing field.
“The Fair Pour pub highlights the urgent need for action to create a fairer world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
We hope it encourages people to think about how a fairer tax system could create a more just society for everyone.”
Raising awareness
The Fair Pour will offer punters a selection of non-alcoholic wines, beers, and mocktails, including the ‘Old Money Fashioned’ and ‘Billionaire’s Breeze’.
There will also be a pub quiz scheduled for 7 pm, where the winning team will receive a free round of no and low drinks.
The pub is designed to be a forum for conversation and change.
Oxfam will be available to provide information about their work on tax justice and inequality.
The charity hopes the pub will encourage discussion around how to build a fairer world, particularly during dry January when many people choose to abstain from alcohol.
Hydes Brewery invests £235k in Abel Heywood hotel
The Salford-based brewer and pub retailer Hydes, has announced a £235,000 refurbishment of the boutique hotel located at the Abel Heywood in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
The investment follows a multi-million pound programme across its pub estate in 2024, including a £200,000 refurbishment of the award-winning pub during February last year.
Hydes acquired the property in 2014. The hotel boasts a 99% occupancy rate.
Modernising hotel rooms
The refurbishment will see 15 rooms totally redecorated, with new fixtures, beds, fittings and contemporary décor.
The project is aimed at attracting modern city break guests. The rolling closure will begin in January and is expected to be fully complete by early March.
Numerous rooms will be available during the refurbishment programme, and the pub, bar and dining facilities are set to operate as normal.
Manager of the Abel Heywood, Alex Allan said: “The Abel Heywood is a hugely popular venue for drinkers in the city centre, alongside day trippers and visitors to Manchester who want somewhere quirky and cool to stay overnight.”
He added: “After a decade managing the Abel Heywood, it has become such an integral part of what the Northern Quarter is all about.
It’s great for the local economy and brings in lots of business to this part of the city.
Following the hugely successful refurbishment of the pub last year and significant investment from Hydes, the full refurbishment of the hotel will give it the modernisation that it deserves and hopefully have the same impact as the investment in the pub.”
Continued investment in pub estate
Originally an almost derelict, fire-damaged former textile warehouse, Hydes invested millions to transform the building.
The Abel Heywood first opened its doors to customers in December 2014.
The past decade has seen the venue become one of the first dining pubs to provide boutique hotel accommodation in Manchester.
Since its opening, the city has witnessed the launch of more than 25 new hotels, the Abel Heywood has maintained its reputation and is completely booked with guests every week.
Hydes managing director Adam Mayers commented: “The Abel Heywood is a key venue for Hydes and this second round of investment in under 12 months continues our commitment to the ongoing refurbishments of all pubs in our estate.
With its adjoined 15 room boutique hotel, it is a firm favourite in the city’s Northern Quarter and this further investment will enable it to build on the success and reputation it has established since we first acquired it over a decade ago.”
Joule’s Brewery invests £600,00 into new Harborne based site
The Market Drayton-based brewery, has just announced newer plans for a huge investment in the New Inn, Harborne. The business acquired the New Inn in May 2024.
The team has a new vision designed to revitalise the establishment and make it a central hub for the Harborne community.
Joule’s Brewery are set to invest around £600,000, into the pub while aiming to preserve its charm.
Development director at the company Anna Brakel said: “The New Inn is a special site and one that we are very proud to now call a Joule’s Brewery Taphouse.
We are committed to bringing Joule’s Brewery to Birmingham and are pleased to reveal that this will be our biggest investment in a taphouse to date.”
Find out more here
JDW invest £6.7m into new Haven parks pubs
Holiday park operator Haven has announced the expansion of its partnership with JD Wetherspoon (JDW) with four new pubs.
Some £6.7m has been invested in the new sites, which will open this spring at Haven’s holiday parks at Cleethorpes Beach in Lincolnshire; Devon Cliffs in Devon; Kent Coast in Kent; and Haggerston Castle in Northumberland.
The investment is part of a broader £8.3m to enhance the holiday park operator’s food and beverage offerings for 2025, which also includes two new Burger Kings at Hopton Holiday Park and Lakeland Holiday Park.
It follows a wider £100m investment in Haven’s sites across 2024.
Find out more here
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