PROPERTY ROUND-UP

NQ64 & Dodo Pub Co to launch sites

13-Mar-2023 - Last updated on 13-Mar-2023 at 11:26 GMT

New openings: Spring will see sites launched by several operators

There will be new sites from Dodo Pub Co and NQ64 this spring, and Inn Collection Group has acquired a new venue while other pubs undergo makeovers.

Inn Collection Group acquire hotel

The Inn Collection Group (ICG) has acquired the Links Hotel in Seahouses, Northumberland, business property adviser Christie & Co has announced.

The property is situated on the main road into fishing village Seahouses, located on the coastline between Bamburgh and Alnmouth. It comprises a bar, restaurant and 10 en suite bedrooms plus a car park and decked terrace.

ICG managing director Sean Donkin said: “We are very happy to have acquired the Links in Seahouses and to have worked with Christie & Co again after doing so on last year’s purchase of the St Kilda Hotel in Llandudno.

“While the focus of ICG is on consolidation and completing the refurbishments that are currently underway or about to begin, we remain active in the market, should the right opportunities become available.

“The Links Hotel very much counts as one of those. Christie & Co has been first rate during the process and working together with them and Bradley Hall as advisors, has once again delivered a positive result for ICG.”

The previous owners Julie Dawson and Malcolm Sutton had owned the hotel for 22 years and decided to sell to pursue other business interests.

Dawson said: “We have had some wonderful years here and have met some lovely people and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our clients and customers and wish the new owners all the best for their business venture”

City pub to reopen with new look

South London pub the Duke of Sussex in Lambeth is getting ready to reopen its doors on 29 March with an upgraded look and brand-new menu.

Situated in the heart of Waterloo on Baylis Road, the pub is the latest reopening from the Chapter Collection, the next chapter of premium pubs, elevating the drinking and dining experience to a new level.

The 360-cover, 2034 sq ft venue includes a main dining room and four private dining spaces all equipped with their own AV, mics and sound systems. The Chichester Room is a 40 seated function room equipped with Sky sports and BT sports.

The Petworth Room seats up to 20 or 30 standing, and the smaller Arundel Room and Cowdray Room seat six or 12 standing. This trio of rooms can also be combined to create one space for bigger gatherings of up to 30 dining or 55 standing.

The large outdoor space, opposite Millennium Green, will be laden with plants and picnic tables seating up to 178 for dining and drinking, while the venue will also be dog friendly.

Inside décor includes velvet chairs, rich, neutral tones, dark wood panelling and chandeliers.

Furthermore, the drinks menu features signature cocktails and unique twists on classics including Maple Pecan Old Fashioned, Bulleit, maple syrup, chocolate bitters, popcorn; and Blood Orange Spritz, Tanqueray, Prosecco, Fever-Tree blood orange soda. Wines, beers and ales are also on offer, and customers can also choose the venue’s signature gin.

The food menu includes seasonal pub classics, such as chicken and leek pie and roasted potato, spinach & portobello mushroom en croute.

Dodo Pub Co to launch new site

Dodo Pub Co has announced the newest addition to its growing family with the takeover of the Cross Hands in Fishponds, Bristol.

Taking its portfolio to seven, the All Inn, as the pub will be renamed, will be the pubco’s first foray into the Bristol hospitality scene.

Dodo’s co-founder Leo Johnson said: “We’ve been wanting to find the right place for a Dodo pub in Bristol for several years now.

“Two of us lived there for a while and we all love its vibrancy and the feeling of inclusion that seems to permeate the city. It’s got a great mix of pubs, bars and restaurants, and we firmly believe that our neighbourhood vibe will fit right in.”

Located on Staple Hill Road, the All Inn will open its doors in May 2023, with refurbishment works due to start straight away. The pubco’s traditional yet quirky, welcoming style will run throughout the new pub, alongside a menu offering dirty burgers, Neapolitan pizzas and a variety of sides.

The pub will create around 15 new jobs, with recruitment starting immediately for all positions.

Peach plough £278k into pub

The Gardeners pub in Southfields has reopened following a £278,000 investment by independent operators Peach Pubs & Co, with management partners Tracey and Patrick Phelan taking the helm.

The pub, which combines traditional elements with contemporary design, is comprised of a new bar, seating and dining area. The publicans are putting the finishing touches to an extended, much-improved outdoor area that will include added seating and space.

Tracy said: “We are thrilled to relaunch the pub and share the results of its extensive refurbishment.

“Having grown up in and around pubs, we’re extremely passionate about providing excellent service and hospitality to our guests. The investment from Punch has allowed us to create a fabulous welcoming, family-friendly environment for all to enjoy.”

Furthermore, it’s food menu includes pub classics including a Sunday Roast.

Punch Pubs senior operations manager Graeme Endacott said: “We are delighted to have worked with Tracey and Patrick to transform the Gardeners Pub.

“The investment reflects our commitment to providing our guests with great experiences in welcoming and comfortable environments.

“We wish Tracey and Patrick every success in their new venture, and we look forward to seeing the pub thrive under their management."

18^th century coaching inn off market

Fleurets has announced the sale of 18^th century site the George Inn, Robertsbridge, East Sussex.

The coaching inn is comprised of bar and dining areas with open fires, and also includes four letting bedrooms and an enclosed courtyard garden.

The property was previously owned by the Turner family who decided it was time to sell after 16 years.

“Our reason to sell was very simple really as its been driven by the urge to spend more time with our children who are growing up fast,” a spokesperson for the family said.

They continued: “We have loved owning, restoring and developing our much-loved Georgian coaching Inn into what it is today, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved especially in these last few challenging years.”

The new owner, Roberto Kuligowski, added: My family and I are so excited to have this opportunity to put our stamp on this wonderful country pub.

“We thank Nick and the team at Fleurets for helping us find the George and Jane and John for making it the pub we have the honour of taking on.

“We plan to keep the fundamentals of excellent service, delicious food and a warm home-from-home atmosphere, whilst bringing our own twist to the menu and new events throughout the year.”

East London NQ64 will be its biggest site

Experiential retro arcade bar NQ64 will launch its biggest site to date in May 2023 with an opening in Old Street, Shoreditch.

The arcade bar concept, which has nine sites, will bring retro gaming, cocktails and a hip-hop soundtrack to east London, plus a new food offer with a partner set to be named shortly.

The Old Street site will have a capacity of up to 450 people at the 9,000sq ft location.

Founded in 2019 in Manchester by Andy Haygarth and Matt Robson, NQ64 said it is “neon graffiti-covered drinking den where guests can enjoy retro arcade games and classic consoles alongside a curated list of game-themed cocktails and craft beers, accompanied by a classic hip hop playlist”.