The business was founded in 2002 by Alex Reilley, Jake Bishop and Dave Reid with the opening of the Lounge site on North Street, Bristol.
Eight years later saw the launch of Cosy Club while Loungers’ third brand Brightside started in 2022, opening its first roadside venue near Exeter in February 2023.
Remarkable journey
On the latest opening, chairman Alex Reilley said: “When we opened the first Lounge back in August 2022, we couldn’t have imagined 23 years on, we would have 300 sites in the UK.
“It has been a remarkable journey so far, with a lot more still to come. We are so proud of the thousands of jobs we have created and the positive impact we have had on Britain’s high streets.”
The latest opening is in addition to a new Cosy Club in Reading in May. This was the first site to open with a reimagined look and branding and the second in the group, following Manchester’s transformation in April.
Leeds followed, which unveiled its new look in September with a new Cosy Club set to open in St Albans in October.
Astonishing effort
Loungers CEO Nick Collins said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to our almost 10,000 team members.
“We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the astonishing effort of everyone who is involved in finding, building and opening our sites; supporting them from our HQ and of course our teams in the Lounges, Cosy Clubs and Brightsides busy serving communities across the UK.
“It’s a fabulous team effort.”
June saw the café bar and restaurant business shut all its venues for its annual staff party.
Loungefest, which started in 2013, is the company’s yearly celebration to thank its thousands of team members for their year-round hard work and dedication.
The day long festival featured fairground rides, DJ sets, music stages hosting performances from bands and Loungers’ staff, games, activities and a variety of food and drink stalls.
