The Orchid Group opens dining pub
The Orchid Group has opened its first contemporary dining pub. The Hemlock Stone in Wollaton, Nottinghamshire, will offer fresh, seasonal and locally-sourced produce.
The pub is one of up to 10 planned to open within the next six months. Around £600,000 has been spent refurbishing the pub.
The pub is divided to keep pub and dining areas separate and the terrace offers al- fresco dining all year round, complete with canopies and heated lamps.
Orchid, which is backed by private equity company GI Partners, the US private equity firm, has completed the refurbishment and upgrade of around 25% of its near 300-strong estate.
The company is believed to be spending around £58m on revamping its estate, which includes the 290 ex-Spirit Group pubs it acquired for £571m in June last year, and 21 outlets it bought from Noble House Leisure under the Jim Thompson's and Yellow River Café brands.
Orchid chief executive Rufus Hall said Orchid had completed 79 site investments, and plans to have revamped its entire portfolio by the middle of next year.
