Kurnia closes Kai's Bar Louth

Lincoln-based multiple operator Kurnia Group has closed Kai's Bar Louth — and may not re-open the site.

The venue closed on New Year's Day and Kurnia owner Michael Kheng said it would be closed for two months at least while a decision on its future was made.

The future of Kai's Bar Louth has been under scrutiny since Kurnia announced its plan to downsize its estate from seven to four by the end of 2010.

It has so far only sold the Library Bar, which is situated on the University of Lincoln campus, to the University.

"We will make an announcement in due course whether Kai's will re-open," said Kheng.

Kheng is likely to submit a planning application with a view to building seven two bedroom town houses, which would double the value of the property.

Tough trading​

Christmas and New Year trade was tough for the multiple operator with one site seeing a 45% decrease in trade on last year over a 14-day period, which did not include the snowy and icy spells.

Overall, the group was 18% down on last year for December as a whole but that follows a 10% decrease in both of the previous years. "It may be a bit down each year but when you add it up, it is massive," said Kheng.

"The town was dead. I still think pubs stitched themselves up on the Millennium when we charged for entry and some pubs have been doing it ever since.

"We didn't charge for entry and created a lot of hype at Kai's Bar Louth about closing for two months but the response was disappointing," he said.

Consultancy​

Kurnia is still looking for a tenant for the Book in Hand in Mablethorpe on a free of tie deal with a "reasonable rent" and may also look for a tenant at its other two sites in Mablethorpe, where its Kai's Bar is also running on reduced hours.

Kheng is hoping to downsize the estate to free up time to concentrate on his training and consultancy business as well as his wider property portfolio. He has already seen an uplift in participants on personal licence holder courses after deciding to take the courses to different venues around Lincolnshire.

Kheng is also heavily involved in lobbying for a fairer deal for pubs on the controversial licensing amendments proposed and is running an online campaign​ to help licensees get in touch with their MPs.