Property round-up: close to £1m invested by Star, Ei and Admiral
Ei revamps family run pub with £250,000 investment
Ei Publican Partnerships has helped twin brothers Chris and Nick Green celebrate their 50th birthday by pouring £250,000 into the 15th century Stansfield Arms in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
The Green family – Chris and his wife Anja as well as Nick and his wife Tracy – have worked in the hospitality sector for close to 20 years, 16 of which have been at the Stansfield Arms.
Discussing their recent windfall, part of Ei Group’s ongoing £80m a year investment into its estate, Chris Green explained: “My family and I are hugely excited to have the opportunity to revitalise the Stansfield Arms and take it new heights.
“This pub is very much a community hub and the refurbishment will allow us to hold even more community events and attract new visitors to the area.
“Being our 50th birthday year, we can think of no better way to celebrate than with this fantastic investment.
“It’s great to have the ongoing support of Ei Publican Partnerships for this project and their confidence in our offer for the future.”
Multiple operator opens Star site
Warrington-based multiple operator Priory Inns North West has taken on its second site with Star Pubs & Bars – the Gardeners in Timperley, Greater Manchester – which has reopened following a £380,000 joint investment.
The addition of the Star site sees the operator’s stable grow to 10 sites, including seven leased venues and three freeholds.
"What we do works,” Priory Inns North West’s director Neil Sparkes explained. “We've got no finite number for the size of our business going forward.
“Our expansion plans will be determined by getting the right team to work for us. They need to be good, happy, friendly staff focused on giving customers everything they want. We give staff the autonomy to deliver this.
“Finding pubs for our expansion plans shouldn’t be a problem as there are a lot of good pubs, like the Gardeners, and we've got a strong record, so pub companies like working with us.
“In our experience, the leased and tenanted model works when you can put together a mutually beneficial deal where both parties make money."
Hippo Inns acquires 13th pub
Part of Ei Managed Investments, Hippo Inns has announced the purchase of Geronimo Inns’ pub the Builders Arms in Chelsea, west London, growing its estate to 13 sites across London.
Originally owned by Hippo Inns’ founder Rupert Clevely, the 2,000sq ft, 86-cover pub has undergone a substantial refurbishment.
Discussing the acquisition, Clevely explained: “It is great to have the Builders Arms back. It’s a pub close to my heart from my previous life.
“Hippo Inns is a group of community pubs with quality food and drink at its heart and the Builders Arms fits perfectly within our portfolio.”
Admiral stumps up £250,000 to revamp Royal Oak
The Royal Oak in Carlisle, Cumbria, has reopened following a £250,000 transformation by Admiral Taverns.
By reintroducing community fun days, launching a seasonal home-made menu, and backing local sports teams, licensee Louise McPhee – who has more than 20 years’ experience in London’s hospitality trade – aims to establish the venue as a communal hub.
“We have a fantastic opportunity here at the Royal Oak to make the pub a pillar of the community,” McPhee explained.
“I want to create a ‘home from home’ where everyone feels welcome and we provide fantastic hospitality for all.
“During my time working in London, I’ve gained a wealth of experience and I’m looking forward to putting my own touch on the pub with some great food and drinks.
"It is not only humans who are welcome at the pub – the Royal Oak welcomes its canine customers with special seating areas for dog walkers, water bowls and doggie treats on the bar.
“The refurbished beer garden provides the perfect place for walkers to sit and relax.”
Black country brewer unveils new venue
Sadler’s Brewing Co has announced the launch of its third venue, Brewer’s Social Harborne, in south-west Birmingham.
The latest venue, due to open on 27 September, joins Sadler’s Brewhouse & Bar in Lye, West Midlands; and Sadler’s Taproom Quinton, Birmingham.
Discussing the new venue, Sadler’s Brewing Co managing director Chris Sadler commented: “We want the ‘social’ part of the name to really mean something and for Brewer’s Social to appeal to everyone, with special community events, brewing collaborations and fundraising for local charities.
“Following the success of the Harborne pop-up, the logical next step was to install a kitchen and expand the offering. We’re really excited about this new chapter – with lots more in the pipeline.”
Ei invests in sports offer at Villa Park pub
The latest activation of a partnership with Molson Coors and Sky Sports, Ei Publican Partnerships has installed a bespoke sports viewing package at the Yew Tree in Witton, Birmingham, which is a regular match-day haunt for Aston Villa fans.
In addition to a full external makeover to enhance the Yew Tree’s kerb appeal, the pub now has seven 58-inch TV screens, a video wall, a state-of-the-art speaker system, LED lighting and moving beams as well as a fully refurbished bar area.
“Having somewhere to enjoy the pre-match build up or to watch the game is a priority for any football fan and attracting local supporters is vital to any community pub,” Nick Light, managing director at Ei Publican Partnerships, explained. “This is why it made perfect sense to invest in the Yew Tree.”
“The pub is located just a short walk from Villa Park, and this promises to be a special season for the Villa following their return to the Premier League.
“Our aim is to make the Yew Tree the go-to sports bar for local fans and for it to become one of the premier locations to watch sport in Birmingham.”
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