North Brewing Co eyes opening 2 sites next year

North began more than 25 years ago when Christian Townsley and John Gyngell opened the first site – North Bar in Leeds in 1997.

Earlier this week, the business announced it will be opening its first site in Manchester later this year​ – North Taproom: Circle Square in the city’s Oxford Road.

This followed the multi-site operator’s announcement earlier this year (September) that it was opening its first venue outside Yorkshire​ with North Taproom: Snow Hill in Birmingham.

On the Manchester site, North co-founder and director Christian Townsley told The Morning Advertiser​: “[The] aim is to have it open before Christmas. It will follow the theme of our Sovereign Street taproom (in Leeds).

“It’s a North Brewing branded taproom, I am really excited about it. This is us branching out of Leeds with Birmingham and Manchester.

“We have wanted to do Manchester for years and years. We were looking at venues in Manchester 20 odd years ago. It has a special place in John (Gyngell)’s heart because he’s from round there.

“It’s a blank canvas, which Sovereign Street was the first one we did in that format. It was something that, prior to that, we shied away from and now it’s very much a blueprint for our growth plans.”

With this year being the first the business has expanded outside of Leeds, the future growth plans of the business look set to continue that plan.

Incredibly challenging

Townsley said: “First and foremost are the cities. We’ve got a list of cities that do appeal to us but first and foremost is to get these two open (Birmingham and Manchester) and then aim to open another two next year.”

The ongoing headwinds facing the sector are no secret and Townsley highlighted how the business used what it learnt from the 2008 financial crisis to weather the current storm.

“It’s an incredibly challenging trading environment and it’s going to continue to be but we have got 25 years’ experience in operating in the hospitality sector and more than seven years in brewing,” he said.

“For me, our focus and what I believe that sets us apart from a lot of the industry on the brewing side, is we have a very strong focus on service and delivery and understanding empathy of operators. It’s what we have spent our whole working lives doing.

“Having an understanding of what the customers’ needs are sets us apart. It’s going to be really challenging but focusing on customer service, relationships, I know we have a strong brand and quality beer. We have really great people.

“We’ve been here before with the recession. Premium and cheap areas of the market that will do okay but the middle ground may suffer. There will be a focus on quality, service, products, experience. We focus on that in every area of the business in the bars and brewery.”

While some businesses have had to reduce operating hours due to the ongoing staffing challenges and rocketing energy costs, North sites are open throughout the week and Townsley praised the company’s teams and suppliers.

He said: “We’ve started post-pandemic look at the operating hours and try and work smarter. All of our bars apart from the brewery tap are seven days a week operations. We’ve always felt it was important to maintain a level of consistency so customers know they can turn up and you’re going to be open.

“We love what we do. We get through because of the people we are surrounded by. We’ve had the same beer suppliers, wine suppliers for 25 years.”

Absolute carnage

Referring again to how the company battled the financial crash, Townsley outlined how the business has used its experience to fight the current challenges.

“Having confidence in what we do worked in 2008 in the people that work with us, confidence in the product we delver, the whole package,” he said.

“I really believe if you focus on quality, you’re going to be alright. That’s what we did back in 2008, doing things well and being on top of it and it saw us through.

“In terms of the year ahead, where we have matured since then is having a real sharp focus on the numbers, ensuring we have tight control and not wasting money anywhere.”

Continuing to look to the future for the sector, Townsley predicted how the industry could look over the next few months.

He said: “It’s going to be carnage, absolute carnage. There will be a lot of casualties and it’s really sad. There will be some who will be a bit complacent, maybe lack the experience and aren’t savvy enough as operators.

“There’ll be a bit of collateral damage to some who are unlucky, who haven’t got a strong enough handle on the numbers or a bit of misfortune. There will be some good sites and operators that go.”

However, he was more optimistic about the prospects of North and other operators who aren’t afraid to take risks.

Townsley added: “I also think there will be opportunities. I’m nervous for the sector but I’m excited for us and some other operators I know, I think some will do great. Fortune favours the brave and if you’re willing to push forward and grow in this environment, then good luck.”