Bar goes online

A new bar in Camden is breaking new ground by offering wireless internet access for local business clientele. The Lockside Lounge opens today in the Camden Lock, West Yard, after a £400,000 investment to convert the former HQ nightclub into a 3,000sq-ft bar and kitchen venue. The opening is a partnership between Garry Mullen, Nick May and David Johnstone. Mullen and May run the Dartmouth Arms gastro-pub in Tufnell Park. Johnstone is a former manager of Belgo Central, one of the biggest restaurants in London's Covent Garden area with 400 covers. Yates's refurb High-street pub chain Yates Group has given its oldest trading branch in Rochdale a £100,000 makeover. Yates' opened its first branch in Oldham in Lancashire in 1884, and through three generations of the Yates family, it expanded rapidly through the north west of England and the UK. The Rochdale branch, which had been an inn known as the Old Blue Bell was purchased in 1893 and remains on the same site in Yorkshire Street close to the town centre. Cancer hits Miners BII head of membership recruitment Dave Miners is undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with cancer. Trade consultant Phil Dixon is assisting the membership department of the BII on a temporary basis. Brian Maugham, the BII's membership director, said: "Our thoughts at this time are with Dave and we look forward to his return." Seminar on law David R Jones, an accountancy firm specialising in the licensed trade, is holding an employment law seminar at the Bridge Inn at Walshford, just north of Wetherby in Yorkshire. The event will be held on 28 May, and more information can be obtained on 01937 581356. Gow joins Brasilia JD Wetherspoon head of property Allan Gow has joined espresso equipment makers Brasilia. Co-founder Louie Salvoni said: "Allan knows our business from the customers' perspective and is ideally positioned to advise on what we get right and, more importantly, areas we can improve." Punch offensive The Punch Pub Company has set up an office in Stirling to support its acquisitions programme in Scotland. Operations director Andrew Thompson said: "Acquisitions is a core part of our strategy. We will really be looking at anything. Although we have been buying up one or two pubs at a time, we certainly wouldn't rule out entering into a dialogue with a company for a package of pubs.