Admiral pumps over £880k into three sites
Chester-based pubco Admiral Taverns has injected £885,555 into three of its 1,400 wet-led community sites in the past month.
Each venue features television’s showing Sky and TNT Sports as well as a regular entertainment schedule, including music nights and charitable fundraisers.
First to open was the Saddle, which is part of the pubco’s leased and tenanted estate, in Liverpool’s city centre. It relaunched on Saturday 17 May following a £255,000 refurbishment.
Inside, the pub has benefitted from new furniture and flooring, complemented by bright, stylish wallpaper that brings warmth and character to the space.
Externally, the Saddle has received upgraded lighting and refreshed signage.
Licensee Jeanette Murray, who has been at the helm of the pub for the past eight years, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have relaunched the Saddle following this investment from Admiral Taverns, and it’s been fantastic showing off its new and improved look to customers.
“Thanks to the refurbishment, we’ve been able to breathe new life into the pub venue and I’m confident it will remain at the heart of the city centre for years to come.”
Murray will be running a schedule of regular entertainment, including music events, bingo and charitable fundraisers.
The Old Dyers Arms, also part of Admiral’s leased and tenanted arm, located next to Coventry Rugby Club in the West Midlands followed the Saddle, opening its doors on Friday 23 May.
A combined investment of £280,000 from new licensees, Shelley and Jim Lancaster, and Admiral Taverns, has transformed the historic pub with new fixtures, fittings, flooring and furniture throughout.
Internally, the Old Dyers Arms, which dates back to the 1800’s, has been split across three areas – the main bar, a sports room complete with a pool table, and a cosy snug.
Outside, the pub received new lighting and signage, as well as a revamped beer garden complete with new wooden benches, festoon lighting and plenty of greenery.
The new licensees are local to the area and have more than 30 years combined experience in the hospitality industry.
Admiral business development manager Jenna Trudgill, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Shelley and Jim to the Old Dyers Arms.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our licensees for all their hard work at the pub to date and on behalf of the whole team at Admiral Taverns I wish them the very best of luck for their reopening night and beyond.”
The final pub to welcome customers back through the doors this month will be Proper Pubs site the Singing Canary, a retro-style karaoke bar in Newcastle city centre.
Relaunching on Friday 30 May, the two floor venue has received a £350k investment, including new feature flooring, quirky new furniture, fixtures and fittings throughout as well as a hand painted karaoke wall inspired by the local area.
The venue also boasts a dedicated karaoke stage/DJ booth on the ground floor.
Outside, the pub features new neon lighting and signage as well as a brightly coloured, hand painted mural depicting a canary in front of its cage.
Behind the bar is experienced late night operator, Cuthbert Hackworth.
Hackworth said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Proper Pubs to bring the Singing Canary to the heart of Newcastle. It’s been amazing working alongside the team to bring our vision for this incredible venue to life and I can’t wait to officially reopen it and show off its brand new look and all it has to offer.”
Proper Pubs operations manager Nikki Greenhalgh added: “This has been a really exciting journey for everyone involved has done an incredible job at bringing this vision to life. It’s fantastic to see everything taking shape and I can’t wait to see the final result.”
Multiple operator takes on first star lease
London-based Remedy Bars has added the Elmhurst pub near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to its portfolio.
The pub, which has been closed for two years, will reopen early August following a £550,000 joint refurbishment with Star Pubs, creating 16 new jobs.
Run by Charles Bakker, Remedy Bars operates two other pubs in the capital – the Horse & Groom in Shoreditch and Horatia in Highbury – and a craft bar, No 26 in Shoreditch.
Regarding the Elmhurst, Bakker said: “I used to have 12 pubs and bars, but downsized the business just before Covid, which turned out to be good timing.
“I no longer have expansion targets. The business is growing organically, but only as and when something special comes along. and the Elmhurst was too interesting to say no to.
“It is located near Tottenham stadium so will benefit from the many sporting and cultural events held there. It is also a beautiful prominent pub with real character and a fantastic outdoors that we’re turning into a superb and unique space.”
The beer garden, which boasts Moretti branded décor, has seating for more than 100 covers and will feature a Heineken-branded London taxi converted to include a table and seating for four and speakers for customers to play their own music.
Meanwhile inside the pub will offers a lounge area at the front as well as a snug bar / function room and a games area to the rear with table football, shuffleboard, electronic darts and more than 30 different board games. There will also be a large screen showing Sky.
Drinks at the Elmhurst will consist of premium and craft beers alongside a range of wines and spirits and a small cocktail menu. A food hall style concept with different menus will also be on offer with street food stalls hosted outside at weekends.
Star Pubs investment manager Matt Cornwell said: “The upgrade of the Elmhurst is in keeping with the regeneration of Tottenham, which is attracting investment and younger more cosmopolitan residents.
“The garden will be a real draw – there’s nothing like it in the area. It will be an oasis in an urban environment. I look forward to visiting the Elmhurst once it reopens and enjoying a pint in what will be an amazing garden.”
Thwaites acquires historic Yorkshire pub
Thwaites, the Lancashire-based pub operator and brewer, has procured the Buck Inn, Malham.
Located in the Yorkshire Dales, the historic village inn dates back to 1874, comprising a bar and restaurant alongside an expansive of space outside and 11 bedrooms.
The Grade II listed dog-friendly pub will continue to trade as normal, providing home cooked food, using local, fresh seasonal produce in one of the busiest spots in the Dales.
Thwaites chairman Rick Bailey said of the purchase: “We’re thrilled to be expanding our growing family of hotels and inns, and delighted to bring the Buck in Malham on board.
“We have been after this pub for more than a decade and have huge confidence we can capitalise on the existing success of the Lister Arms in Malham.
“The Buck has tremendous heritage and character and with a bit of investment it will become another firm favourite with visitors to Malham in what has become a walking mecca of the north.”
The addition of the Buck takes Thwaites’ portfolio of managed pubs with rooms and hotels to 23, with the Buck becoming its second site in Malham.
Black Country Ales reopens market town pub
West Midlands-based pub operator and brewer Black Country Ales has reopened the Unicorn in Ludlow.
After acquiring the venue earlier this year, the pub welcomed customers back last week following a minor refurbishment focusing on restoring its original features.
Loungers unveils retro look for Cosy Club Reading
Loungers has unveiled its latest opening with the Cosy Club in Reading, which is the second to showcase its new look and branding inspired by the 1970s and 1980s.
First to showcase the new look site was a refurbishment in Manchester in April this year. The branding is set to be expanded to two sites in St Albans in October 2025 and Swansea early in 2026.
The interior scheme has been designed by Cassie Nicholas, winner of BBC’s Interior Design Masters, who has worked with artisans and manufacturers to create and produced one off wallpapers, fabrics, light fittings, seating and carpets.
In Reading, the venue has a newly elevated menu of modern British classics and Cosy Club specials has been created in collaboration with award-winning chef and TV personality John Hooker.
As part of Cosy Club’s evolution, the company has also introduced a new logo and a “retro-infused” staff uniform. Read more here.
Draughts launches third venue
London-based board game bar and restaurant, Draughts, has officially opened the doors to its third venue, bringing its mix of games, food and drinks to the heart of Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Spread across two floors and seating 150 guests, the new 4,110 sq ft venue houses more than 1,000 titles in its board game library, ranging from party favourites to strategic classics.
Beyond the games, Draughts Stratford offers a new menu featuring Halloumi Fries, Burgers and Baja Fish Tacos as well as Ice Cream Nachos. Drinks include craft beers, signature cocktails, and a curated list of low and no alcohol serves.
Draughts founder Nick Curci said: “We’re incredibly proud to open our third venue in such an iconic part of the city.
“This is a place full of energy and creativity, the perfect fit for Draughts. From the beginning, Draughts was created to bring people together, to offer an antidote to modern-day loneliness through shared experiences and genuine human connection.
“Whether you’re coming with a group or just looking to meet like-minded individuals, we’ve built a space where everyone is welcome. We can’t wait to welcome new guests and our loyal community to experience everything we’ve built over the past ten years.”
M&B reopens village pub
The Mall pub in Clifton, Bristol, has reopened following an extensive 3-week refurbishment, creating two new jobs.
Part of the Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) Castle estate, the pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside.
Changes include cocktails stations fitted in both bars, new furnishings and art work throughout as well as additional seating added to the garden area.
Offering pub classics, such as fish and chips and burgers, as well as Sunday roasts, the Mall also boasts a new food menu to compliment its wide ranging drinks offer.
General manager Harry Stirland said: “Myself and the whole team here at the Mall cannot wait to welcome everyone back into our brand new, beautiful pub.”
Heartwood Inns opens 30th pub
Heartwood Inns has opened its 30th site with the White Hart in Lymington, Hampshire, as part of its expansion strategy.
The listed building at the White Hart has undergone a refurbishment including the addition of an extension to the rear to create over 150 internal dining seats together with an additional 50 seats outside.
To the front, the beamed bar boasts a number of fire places together with semi-private spaces for private dining.
The pub will be run by general manager Pete Hider and head chef Amaresh Nandan, who will offer a seasonally changing, sustainably sourced menu in line with Heartwood’s three-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
The Publican Awards winner, which is part of the Heartwood Collection Group and also runs 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants, has plans to open 60 sites by 2027. Read more here.
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