Market Halls expands games concept
Market Halls is expanding its competitive socialising Games Hall concept following a successful trial at its Oxford Circus venue.
The operator said it would extend the existing offer at Market Halls Oxford Circus while also rolling the concept out to Market Halls Canary Wharf in early June.
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The move forms part of the group’s wider strategy to capitalise on demand for “eatertainment” experiences that combine food, drink and interactive gaming to drive longer dwell times and repeat visits.
The Oxford Circus venue will add mini golf, shuffleboard, basketball, pool, darts, air hockey and retro arcade games, while Canary Wharf will introduce darts, shuffleboard and pool.
Market Halls said the spaces had been designed to support both walk-in customers and pre-booked group occasions, with layouts focused on gameplay, dining and social interaction.
CEO Dan Hills said the Oxford Circus trial had demonstrated strong demand for the format, adding that Canary Wharf’s mix of office workers, residents and weekend visitors made it the “ideal next location” for expansion.
Alongside the Games Hall rollout, the operator confirmed new food vendors would join its estate this summer, including PATOIS at Canary Wharf, Prep La Crêpe at Oxford Circus and Takusan at Victoria.
Butcombe reopens Mayflower in Hampshire
Butcombe Group has reopened The Mayflower following a refurbishment as part of its ongoing estate investment programme.
The Hampshire pub has been repositioned as an all-day destination, with a refreshed seafood-led food offer, upgraded outdoor areas and seven refurbished bedrooms.
The redevelopment also includes a new pizza oven for outdoor dining, a private dining room and a bigger events programme featuring seafood festivals, cider showcases and regatta-themed weekends.
COO Jayson Perfect said the group’s strategy was focused on creating pubs that could “deliver across multiple occasions”, with the Mayflower designed to appeal to families, diners and overnight guests.
The reopening follows the recent relaunch of The Brown Cow and forms part of Butcombe’s wider investment drive across its estate.
Vagabond returns to Canary Wharf
Vagabond Wines is set to return to Canary Wharf this summer with a new site at 12 Park Drive, marking the brand’s latest opening under the ownership of Majestic Wine Group.
The opening comes as Canary Wharf continues its transition into a seven-day leisure and hospitality destination, with annual footfall now exceeding 76 million and weekend visits more than doubling since 2019.
The new venue will feature Vagabond’s self-pour wine machines with more than 100 wines available by the glass, alongside a food offer and flexible event space aimed at both corporate and leisure audiences.
The site also strengthens Vagabond’s connection to its urban winery at Canada Water, with wines produced around 1,300 metres away set to be served at the new bar.
Managing director Christobell Giles said the operator had “always felt a connection to Canary Wharf”, adding that the district had evolved into a destination attracting a much broader mix of visitors beyond the traditional working week.
The opening will mark Vagabond’s fifth new site in 12 months, following openings in St Paul’s, Liverpool Street and Canada Water, with a flagship Soho venue also due to launch later this year.
Bubble at Stenson to reopen with bedrooms
Bespoke Inns is set to reopen The Bubble at Stenson on 30 May following a major refurbishment.
The venue, which becomes the sixth site in the Bespoke Inns portfolio, has undergone a full redesign including a refurbished bar and dining area alongside the addition of 10 new bedrooms.
The reopening will also see the return of the pub’s Sunday carvery, relaunched with a renewed focus on locally sourced produce as part of a wider seasonal British food offer.
Director Emily Nash said the investment had allowed the group to “celebrate its history while giving it a fresh new identity”, adding that the site reflected Bespoke Inns’ focus on “character, quality, and hospitality with personality”.
Herts Pubs to open second site in Hertfordshire
Herts Pubs Company is set to open The George in June, marking the group’s second site following the launch of The Cock.
The Grade II-listed former coaching inn has undergone a full refurbishment, with the operator repositioning the venue as a premium village pub focused on seasonal British food, wine and community-led hospitality.
The site includes two dining areas with 51 covers, a 10-cover private dining space and an outdoor garden centred around a fire pit.
Executive chef Joe Walker has developed a menu centred on British suppliers including Aubrey Allen, Flying Fish and Keltic Seafare, while the drinks offer will feature local craft beers, cocktails and an extensive wine list with vintage selections.
Operations director Adam Msetfi said the opening formed part of the company’s plans to grow a portfolio of “neighbourhood pubs in Hertfordshire”, while retaining the heritage and identity of historic local sites.
Somerset pub diversifies into community hub
The Butchers Arms has expanded its offer to include a village shop, café and community library as part of efforts to strengthen its role at the centre of village life.
The pub, which reopened in November 2025 after being purchased by the Moores family, has introduced a range of new community-focused initiatives including social events, meeting spaces and expanded retail facilities.
Publican Nick Moores relocated with four generations of his family from Manchester to take on the previously empty pub, which now hosts local groups including Coastwatch, beekeepers, knit-and-natter sessions and church meetings.
Recent additions include a larger café seating area, expanded chilled and local produce ranges within the village shop, a community library and upgraded AV facilities supporting quiz nights, film screenings and community events.
The diversification project was supported through a grant from Pub is The Hub backed by the Department for Business and Trade’s Hospitality Support Fund.
Moores said the pub had become “a true hub for everyone from children and families to older residents”, while Pub is The Hub regional advisor Roger Belle described the venue as “a shining example of what a great rural pub can be”.
Young’s’ Greyhound in Carshalton reopens
The Greyhound has reopened following a refurbishment that has refreshed the historic pub and expanded its dining and garden offer.
Dating back to 1730, the coaching inn overlooking Carshalton Ponds has undergone upgrades across its bar, main dining room and private events space, the Swan Room, which seats up to 30 guests.
The outdoor garden has also been redesigned with new seating, upgraded huts for group bookings and outdoor screens for live sport.
Head chef Roberto Montoli is leading a menu focused on elevated British pub classics, including seafood dishes, seasonal pies and Sunday roasts, alongside rotating blackboard specials.
Upstairs, the venue’s 21 bedrooms have also been refreshed, with the operator positioning the site as both a neighbourhood pub and countryside-style stay destination within easy reach of central London.
Hole in the Wall in Caernarfon reopens after £120k refurbishment
Admiral Taverns has reopened Hole in the Wall following a £120k refurbishment.
The investment has delivered a full internal refresh, including a new bar, updated flooring and fittings, a snug area and darts space, alongside two new screens. Externally, the pub has been upgraded with new signage and lighting.
Operators Chris Wright and Tracy Roberts, who have worked at the pub since 2023, said they were “absolutely thrilled” with the refurbishment and the response from returning customers.
The pair plan to strengthen the venue’s role as a community local through karaoke, disco and pool nights, alongside fundraising events supporting Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Trust.
Kelly Kerr, business development manager at Admiral Taverns, said the operators had built “a really strong community focused local” since taking over the pub.
Courthouse in Rugby reopens after £350k refurbishment
Star Pubs and Machan Pubs have reopened The Courthouse following a £350k refurbishment.
The town centre venue has reopened after a 16-month closure and been repositioned as a late-night entertainment and sports-led venue featuring live music, DJs, retro games and major live sport screenings.
The redevelopment has created 25 jobs and includes a redesigned bar and lounge space with exposed brickwork and herringbone flooring, alongside revamped outdoor trading areas with covered seating, a large outdoor screen and summer barbecue facilities.
Operator Hari Shankarkrishnamurthy said the aim was to create a “true sports bar experience”, describing the concept as a “mini Albert Schloss” with live music and entertainment until 2am.
The venue’s food offer is led by executive chef Durai Kaliyaperumal and centres on a pan-Asian-inspired menu served throughout the day.
Proper Pubs invests £275k in Bolton community pub relaunch
Admiral Taverns community division Proper Pubs is set to reopen The Rose & Crown on 21 May following a £275k refurbishment.
The investment has transformed the wet-led community pub with new flooring, furniture and décor throughout, alongside the addition of dedicated darts and pool areas in the lower bar.
Externally, the site has also introduced covered outdoor seating, updated signage and a children’s play area as part of efforts to strengthen its appeal as a community hub.
The relaunch will also see the introduction of a new cocktail menu alongside draught brands including Guinness, Madri and Murphy’s, while regular entertainment plans include live music, quiz nights, karaoke and pub sports teams.
Proper Pubs operations director Matt Gurney said the operator was looking forward to reopening the site to the local community and supporting Lester in his new venture.
Admiral Taverns invests £208k in Folkestone pub refurbishment
Admiral Taverns is set to reopen The Valiant Sailor on 24 May following a £208,695 refurbishment.
The investment has refreshed the New Dover Road pub while retaining its traditional nautical character, with upgrades including a redesigned bar, new dart boards, refreshed décor and improvements to the beer garden to support outdoor dining.
The relaunch also includes a broadened food offer, with the pub introducing a new brunch menu alongside daily dishes, seasonal specials and Sunday roasts.
Operator Mark Smith, who has run the pub for the past six months, said the refurbishment had helped bring his vision for the venue to life and highlighted the strong support from the local community.
Admiral invests £250k in Oadby pub relaunch
Admiral Taverns has reopened The Fox following a £250,000 refurbishment.
The investment has transformed the London Road community pub with a new main bar, dedicated pool and darts rooms, updated flooring and fittings throughout, while retaining original features including the pub’s open fireplace.
The venue is now operated by Neil Fowkes and Paul Wenman, who bring a combined 40 years of hospitality experience to the site. The pair said they were “absolutely delighted” with the refurbishment and thanked customers and the local community for their support.
The relaunch also includes plans for regular entertainment, including quiz nights, bingo and live performances, alongside future fundraising initiatives for local causes.
