MA LEADERS CLUB
What is Newcastle like to run pubs in?
Newcastle has a ship building and coal mining heritage and now operates as a leading cultural destination, boasting world-class museums as well as vibrant arts and entertainment venues.
It has a variety of areas within the city including Bigg Market, the city centre, Quayside, Jesmond, The Gate and Ponteland.
The Bigg Market is home to Newcastle’s oldest pub – the Old George, which dates back to 1582 and it is reported King Charles I was a regular visitor.
The area has been transformed over the past three years following a multi-million-pound regeneration project.
Talent pool
The city is home to world-class universities, providing a talent pool of 50,000 students and access to a labour market of more than 1m people.
Multiple business Vaulkhard Group operates a dozen sites in the city. Director Ollie Vaulkhard is in his 25th year with the company, having concentrated on building a business rooted in quality, consistency and the people and businesses of the north east.
He stated the city receives a huge impact from the thousands of students and Newcastle United football club.
Local trade is loyal but demand good service and standards while Newcastle also receives lots of inbound drinks tourism.
In terms of employees, post-Brexit didn’t impact staffing much but the students’ 26-week term time means there are times when businesses are short of part-time workers.
New openings
While Vaulkhard outlined the city was dominated by large, independent local operators so coming in to find a new site wasn’t easy, multiple operator Mojo opened its latest site this month (April) at The Gate on Newgate Street in the city and is home to shuffleboard tables, beer pong and cocktail masterclasses.
Just ahead of the opening, Mojo managing director Martin Greenhow said: “Newcastle is a fun, exciting and vibrant city and we cannot wait to open our doors here with one of the biggest launch parties we’ve thrown to date.
“Our ethos is around bringing music for the people, food for the soul and good times forever and we hope to deliver that to the people of Newcastle.”
Last year, NQ64 also opened a venue in Newcastle – the firm’s ninth and its first foray into the north east.
Fellow multi-site business Arc Inspirations also announced plans to open the doors to a Manahatta bar in the city last year.
