Property round-up: Star sites sold plus second venues for Cahoots and Puttshack
Star Pubs & Bars transforms disused site with £425,000 investment
Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars has revived the seldom-used Wemyss Hotel to create the Seaglass Inn in Port Seton, East Lothian, Scotland, with a £425,000 investment.
And the site, which has created 16 new jobs, will be led by mother and daughter licensees – Christine O’Brien and Sarah Couch.
Discussing the project, East Lothian MP Martin Whitfield commented: “It’s great to see such major investment in an East Lothian pub and new jobs created.
“The Seaglass Inn is a welcome addition to the area for local residents and another attraction for visitors to the county’s coast.”
MSP for East Lothian, Iain Gray, added: “Good pubs play an important social role as hubs for the communities they serve.
“With so many people moving into this part of East Lothian, it’s good news to see a local pub given a new lease of life.”
Three Star Pubs & Bars sites sold
A package of three bars in the north-west have been sold on behalf of Star Pubs & Bars off a combined guide price of £765,000.
The freeholds of Kuckoo in Preston, marketed off a guide price of £225,000; Kuckoo in Knutsford, had a guide price of £400,000; and the Fox & Grapes, also in Preston, marketed off a guide price of £140,000, were all acquired by the existing tenant of all three sites, Chris Powell, director of Kuckoo.
Discussing the deal, Powell explained: “Following the completion of the sale, we can now look forward to a period where we can fulfil our ambitious plans to renovate and enhance the buildings, particularly Kuckoo Preston, to the same high standards as Kuckoo Knutsford and our other cocktail bars in Chester and Sheffield.”
Leisure property specialists Fleurets, which sold the properties on behalf of Star Pubs & Bars, did not disclose the final sales prices.
Second Cahoots site announced
The operator behind Mr Fogg’s – The Inception Group – has announced the launch of a second Cahoots venue on Soho’s Kingly Street in London, where they have commandeered a damaged railway station, its old overground ticket hall and disused control room, to create an immersive experience.
New two-storey, subterranean, 1940s train station-themed cocktail bar, Cahoots: The Ticket Hall & Control Room, will open in November 2019.
Discussing the new venue, Charlie Gilkes, co-founder of the Inception Group commented: “Building on the great success of the original Cahoots, we are so excited to be opening The Ticket Hall & Control Room next door, and look forward to welcoming guests into this 1940s-inspired train station-themed cocktail bar with lots of new immersive experiences and surprises in store.”
Plans submitted to reopen 19th century pub
The new owners of the the Northbrook Arms in East Stratton, Hampshire, have submitted plans to reopen the pub – which was closed for six months prior to its sale to Kate and Adam Shanley.
The plans include a complete redevelopment of the pub area, a revamp of its accommodation facilities and a new spa facility.
Kate Shanley explained: “It is clear that the pub [and many like it] have struggled to stay open through traditional trading to a narrow catchment area”, says Kate. “We believe that the success to the pub lies in increasing the commercial offering the site has to offer. This means less financial dependence on the immediate community, while giving us a competitive point of difference in the marketplace.”
Local historian and East Stratton resident Patrick Craze added: “The village is delighted at the prospect of regaining our public house. It is good to see that a lot of time, effort and investment will go into restoring all of the sites permanent structures”.
The official planning application registered with Winchester City Council is available to review online.
Puttshack opens second site
Founded by Steve and Dave Jolliffe, the creators of Topgolf and World Golf Systems, in collaboration with and Adam Breeden of Flight Club, Bounce and All Star Lanes, indoor mini golf concept Puttshack has announced that it has opened its second UK site at intu Lakeside shopping centre in Thurrock, Essex.
The new venue’s announcement comes as Puttshack raised £27m in equity in June this year with the help of Promethean Investments.
The concept’s operators have also revealed plans to open sites in Bank, central London, and intu Watford later this year.
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