Settle Inn chain formed

After helping to develop a group of "ram-themed" pubs, Paul McKinley is creating his own "chair-themed" pub chain.

He and Katie Reed have launched their own company after working with entrepreneur Hugh Corbett on Tup Inns and Harvey Floorbangers.

They have opened their first pub in a chain branded as Settle Inn, with plans to open up to 10 more in London within three years.

The concept, which is being tested in Battersea, London, features wooden floors and "chunky" and unusual furniture, including pews as benches.

McKinley said the name, which is a pun on the old-fashioned word for a long, high-backed bench, reflected this "chair theme".

"Everyone has been doing Irish or Australasian themed pubs but we think people are getting tired of them," he said.

"We settled for the settle because chairs will never go out of fashion," he added.

He said the outlets were similar to Tup, which are aimed at 18 to 30-year-olds and play with the image of the "tup", or ram.

Corbett sold the 10-strong Tup Inns last year for £3.3m to London pub group Joe's Ltd, which has since been renamed Massive.

The company now has only one outlet trading as Joe's and, apart from Tup, specialises in traditional and food-based pubs which are unbranded.

Corbett has kept a stake in Massive, working with directors Peter Linacre and Stephen Brook on Tup and developing new concepts.

Focusing on the South East, Massive currently has about 21 sites and is planning further expansion this year.