Shepherd Neame launches Sin Bin sports bar concept
Shepherd Neame has launched a new sports bar concept, Sin Bin, at Chatham Maritime, marking a move into competitive socialising and sport-led hospitality.
The venue, formerly Pier Five Bar and Kitchen, has been transformed in under a month into a high-energy site focused on live sport, gaming and late-night trade.
The refurbishment introduces multiple large screens, interactive darts and retro gaming consoles, with the operator aiming to create a more immersive and experience-led environment. It also debuts a new food and drink offer with burgers, pizzas and sharing plates.
Speaking at the launch, chief executive Jonathan Neame said the concept represents a shift for the business.
“This is something of a departure for Shepherd Neame and we are thrilled with the outcome,” he said. “With its prime location at the marina and proximity to key attractions, we hope it will prove popular with the local community.”
The site will be led by general manager Rachel Webb, supported by a programme of DJs, live music and events, as well as regular sport screenings across football, rugby and other major fixtures.
Shepherd Neame said the launch reflects its ongoing focus on evolving its estate and exploring new formats to drive footfall and dwell time, with Sin Bin positioned to target a broad, experience-led audience.
Heartwood kicks off investment programme with Queen’s Head reopening
Heartwood has reopened The Queen’s Head in Weybridge following a refurbishment, as part of a £1.5m investment programme across five sites in its estate.
The pub closed on 16 March and reopened earlier this month (1 April), with works including refreshed interiors, new soft furnishings and signage, alongside a reconfigured garden terrace designed to boost capacity and year-round use.
The reopening also sees a new management team in place, led by GM Manoj Parkale, who joins the site from Heartwood’s King’s Arms in Prestbury.
The investment is aimed at strengthening the pub’s position as a community-led local while aligning it with the group’s wider design and operational standards.
The group has further openings planned including The Meadow Lark in Trumpington, Cambridgeshire, and The Muddy Fox in Solihull, West Midlands, both set to open later this year.
Falcon Inn in Yorkshire Dales brought to market
Fleurets has brought to market the leasehold of The Falcon Inn in Arncliffe, North Yorkshire, with a guide rent of £25k per annum.
The Grade II listed pub sits on the village green in Littondale and is known for featuring in the television soap Emmerdale, with the surrounding area also used as a filming location for drama All Creatures Great & Small.
The traditional site features a tap room with period elements including coal fires and barrel-served beer, alongside six letting bedrooms, a two-bedroom cottage and fly-fishing rights on the River Skirfare.`
Fleurets said the opportunity is likely to appeal to operators seeking a character-led, destination pub in a well-known rural location.
Vagabond to open 6,000sq ft Soho site this summer
Vagabond Wines is set to open a new 6,000sq ft site on Ganton Street in Soho this summer, marking one of its most significant West End investments to date.
The venue will offer more than 120 wines by the glass, including wines produced at the group’s urban winery in Canada Water, alongside its self-pour technology and app-led customer experience.
The opening forms part of a wider multi-million pound investment by Majestic Wine Group and Fortress Investment Group to scale the Vagabond brand and expand its presence in high-profile, experience-led locations.
The Soho site will also offer private events and tastings, with the operator targeting a more social, accessible approach to wine drinking in central London.
Thornbridge & Co opens first London pub in Holborn
Thornbridge & Co has opened its first London site, The Wild Swan, on Fetter Lane in Holborn.
The pub becomes the fifth in the group’s estate as it expands its footprint beyond regional cities including Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield and York.
The venue will operate a drinks-led offer centred on rotating cask ales from Thornbridge Brewery alongside guest brewers, supported by a curated keg range, wine list and an all-day food menu.
The site achieved BREEAM Excellence certification, positioning it among a small number of highly sustainable pub developments in the UK.
The operator said the opening reflects its ambition to bring its quality-led pub model to the London market.
Lane7 secures 27,000sq ft Exeter site
Lane7 Group has secured its 30th site, with a new venue set to open in Exeter’s Guildhall Shopping Centre in early 2027.
The 27,000sq ft site will span two floors and is expected to create around 30 jobs, marking a further step in the group’s UK expansion.
Lane7 said the venue will follow its usual model, combining bowling with a wider competitive socialising offer aimed at both daytime and late-night trade.
Managing director Gavin Hughes said: “We’ve been desperate to open in Exeter for some time, so we’re thrilled to have secured an expansive two-floor site in the heart of a buzzing city centre in the south west of England.
“It’s a competitive market, but Exonians know how to have a good time, and we’re confident we’re bringing a distinctive, unique and premium experience to the city’s entertainment and night time scene. We can’t wait to get bowling in Exeter.”
JW Lees acquires Royal Oak in Glossop
JW Lees has acquired The Royal Oak in Glossop, Derbyshire, with plans to invest more than £500k in refurbishing the site.
The historic pub, originally built in 1818, has been closed for several years and will be redeveloped into a family dining pub within the operator’s Pub Partner division.
The site seats around 90 inside and 40 outside and is expected to reopen later this summer following completion of the works.
JW Lees said the acquisition forms part of its strategy to grow its Pub Partner and retail operator estates.
Beautiful Pubs Collective reopens Old Horse after £1m redevelopment
Beautiful Pubs Collective has reopened The Old Horse in Leicester following a £1m redevelopment in partnership with Everards of Leicestershire.
The site, located on the edge of Victoria Park, has undergone a full refurbishment including a reworked main bar, new dining space and the addition of an open pizza kitchen, supporting an expanded food offer.
The pub’s outdoor space, described as the largest beer garden in Leicester, has also been redeveloped, with a new outdoor bar, garden kitchen and ice cream kiosk introduced to drive summer trading.
The reopening marks the fourth site in the group’s Leicestershire estate as it continues to invest in differentiated, community-focused pub concepts.
