The Morning Advertiser (The MA) has taken a look back at some of the biggest launches across the on-trade during this time.
Marston’s
Last month Marston’s announced the launch of a new family pub concept - Woodie’s
Selected existing pubs within the group’s estate will be fully refurbished into the new concept with the Skymaster in Warrington, Cheshire the first to be rebranded.
Each new-look site will have family-focused spaces include Woodie’s Den - a woodland-themed area with games, craft activities and special events such as discos, karaoke and quizzes.
The venues also feature Woodie’s Sweet Factory - a self-serve confectionary bar for children to top their desserts using a token system, alongside a full food offering.
Each Woodie’s pub also benefits from the recently introduced Marston’s Order & Pay app.
The concept was introduced after Marston’s research revealed slow service, expensive children’s menus a lack of healthy eating and entertainment for children as well as unaccommodating staff were the main reasons families left restaurants early. Read more here.
RedCat
In June this year, RedCat Hospitality told The MA it was trialling a new carvery experience with kiosk ordering.
Castle Carvery site the Clocktower in Bowthorpe, Norfolk, was the first venue to introduce the concept.
Part of RedCat’s Independent Pubs division, the Clocktower opened to the public on Friday 20 June following a £600k refurbishment investment.
New digital ordering kiosks were introduced at the pub alongside a new food and drink menu featuring slow-cooked topside beef, leg of lamb and vegan wellington dishes, all served with traditional trimmings like locally sourced vegetables and roast potatoes - with gluten-free options also available.
The new menu also offered desserts such as freshly made doughnut’s, nostalgic favourites like ice cream floats and a Pick n Mix station. Read more here.
Greene King
In March last year, Greene King Pub Partners introduced Nest Pubs, its second franchise model, following the success of Hive.
Nest sites are wet-led and largely situated on busy high streets and in communities.
Alongside a wide drinks range including beer, ale, wines, spirits and low and no options, diners will also be catered for with pizzas.
Each Nest Pub offers Sky and TNT Sports subscriptions alongside a regular calendar of entertainment from pub quizzes to live music and karaoke.
The Palmer Tavern in Reading became the first Nest Pub to open after a £360,000 investment by Greene King.
Nest Pub franchisees require a £3,000 entry including agreement fees, inductions and on-site training. Read more here.
Later on in 2024, Greene King also unveiled a new entertainment-led concept, HighTales.
The Suffolk-based operator said the new high-tempo concept formed part of its long-term investment strategy to create a “balanced portfolio of brands”.
Greene King opened the brand’s pilot site in Stoke-on-Trent in September last year at an ex-Hungry Horse venue, featuring different experiential zones alongside events including table football and comedy gigs to pop up cinemas and live music.
An all-day menu offering pub classics, including burgers, toasties and footlong pizzas, is also on offer. Read more here.
Admiral Taverns
Last January, Admiral Taverns announced the launch of its first mid-market pub concept.
Part of its community led Proper Pubs division, which is made of value driven wet-led sites, the new mid-market concept aimed to offer customers something different, including an extensive wine list and craft lager.
In addition, the mid-market offer also boasts a coffee offering along with a varied snack menu, including pretzels, popcorn and sweet treats.
The Ashby Tavern in Hinckley, Leicestershire, was the first to open on Thursday 22 February 2024, following a £265,000 refurbishment to transform the venue.
The Brown Cow in Liverpool and the Titwood in Glasgow, part of the Proper Pubs arm, were cited as next in line to be converted in line with the new mid-market offering.
On the launch, Proper Pubs director Mark Brooke said: “Value wet-led will always be the cornerstone of our business, but we see a real opportunity to open up to a different demographic and show them what Proper Pubs is all about.” Read more here.
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Brewhouse & Kitchen (B&K) announced plans to introduce a new craft-focused concept at the end of last year.
Chief executive Kris Gumbrell said while B&K’s core business was in good shape and demand for craft beer was strong, performance at some of its smaller high street locations struggled due to lower footfall, adding the refreshed concept aimed to regain customers’ attention.
The new sites have a big focus on craft cocktails – part of Brewhouse’s move to tap into a younger market. A street food style menu and artisan coffee is also available at Craft House pubs.
Craft House sites do not feature a microbrewery element and are fitted out as modern British pubs in order to appeal to a wider demographic, reduce costs and free up space in venues.
Horsham in West Sussex and Bournemouth in Dorset were the first two pubs to be converted, followed by Hoxton in the new year.
Speaking on the launch, Gumbrell said: “The model is really exciting. I would anticipate four to six sites within the first 12 months – so about a third of our estate.
“It’s quite a diversion for us after so many years of being a brewpub model operator. But we’re not moving away from brewpubs – our core brewpub business is still in rude health. It just gives us a more agile offering.” Read more here.
Stonegate Group
In October 2024 Stonegate injected a six-figure sum into a new day-to-night destination.
Rita’s Beerhall and Ballroom, named after the Margarita cocktail, features a programme of live music seven days a week alongside live sport and big event screenings with a range of cocktails, beer, pizzas also on offer.
The venue is located on Woodhouse Lane in Leeds city centre, at a former Walkabout site, and opened its doors in December last year.
On the venue’s performance, Stonegate Group CEO David McDowall said: “Rita’s has had a fantastic start. It’s quickly become a go-to spot in Leeds and is trading beyond our expectations.” Read more here.
Meanwhile in February 2024, Stonegate shared plans to redesign its Slug & Lettuce cocktail bar brand.
The first to showcase the new look was its Birmingham site in Brindley Place, which reopened last March following a £650,000 refurbishment.
Included in the new look was a bright colour scheme and VIP booth seating alongside signature marble and terrazzo tabletops. Read more here.
Earlier this year, the business also launched the People’s Pub - aimed at celebrate individuality community and everything people love about their local.
McDowall said: “Each of these pubs is unique, shaped by the brilliant general managers who run them and the locals who bring them to life.
“These are places where strangers become regulars, everyone feels welcome and where great entertainment, sport and food and drink are at the heart of the experience.” Read more here.
NEOS Hospitality
At the end of 2024 NEOS Hospitality, formally part of REKOM, unveiled plans to transform Bristol’s PRYZMN nightclub by dividing it into two themed spaces - Barbara’s Bier Hause, a high octane apres-ski themed party bar, and Circuit, a modern late-night venue.
The £2.5m project began on New Years Eve and the venue is expected to reopened this year.
Barbara’s Bier Hause will make up the ground floor of the club and is opened in March while the Circuit part of the venue welcomed customers at the end of January. Read more here.
Roxy Leisure
Roxy Leisure Holdings last year rebadged to Professionals at Play in a bid to create a group brand for Roxy Leisure and Pins Leisure.
Alongside the rebrand the company also underwent a management restructure with a new chief operating officer appointed to take the group forward.
The company, which includes brands Roxy Ball Room, Roxy Lanes and King Pins as well as new family-focused arm Star Pins, was founded by brothers Matt and Ben Jones.
In November 2024, the first site opened under the new family-focused brand, Star Pins in Coventry, featuring ten-pin bowling, mini golf, shuffleboard, American pool, ice-free curling, shooting and ping pong.
The 32,000sq ft venue also features an arcade and full food and drink offer, featuring a desserts emporium. Read more here.
Mitchells & Butlers
Going back to October 2023, Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) revealed plans to launch a new operation focused on “Slow ‘n Low” US-style barbecue food, Orleans Smokehouse.
The move meant going head-to-head with award-winning, Greene King-owned American smokehouse brand Hickory’s, which was established in 2010.
In 2023, an M&B spokesperson told The MA: “The restaurant has been designed to offer guests a great experience for relaxed get togethers and to enjoy succulent barbecue food lovingly smoked by our pitmasters.”
Orlean’s Smokehouse opened in Solihull in 2024. Read more here.
