6C tests new unbranded gastropub format
Six Continents Retail is testing a new unbranded pub format to exploit the growing popularity for gastropubs.
It has opened four outlets in London as part of a trial called Project Castle, which is aimed at developing a new "neighbourhood" concept.
The first pub, the Calf, opened in Clapham, South London, in September on the site of one of Allied Domecq's former Firkin pubs, bought from Punch Group.
It specialises in quality food such as crayfish linguini, as well as standard fare such as sausages and mash.
The pubs are totally unbranded and reflect the success of independent gastropubs such as the Eagle in Farringdon.
Six Continents, formerly Bass, has gone on to open the Prince Albert in Notting Hill, the Marlborough in Richmond and the Washington in Hampstead.
Other pub groups have already tried to tap into the upmarket food-led pub market and give more "autonomy" to managers.
Punch Retail this year became the first multiple operator to pick up the title of best gastropub in the Time Out Eating and Drinking awards for the Fire Stables in Wimbledon.
Punch founder Hugh Osmond admitted: "It's unprecedented for a national pub group chain to have one of its outlets win such an award."
London-based Hartford Group chose to develop a chain of gastropubs earlier this year.
It unveiled the Wells in Ascot, Berkshire, and the King's Head in Loughton, Essex. But no new sites are currently planned and the King's Head has now been repositioned as a "sports pub" with less of a food element.
