Loungers has made its international debut with the launch of a new concept in Essen, Germany, as the group looks to expand beyond the UK for the first time.
The operator opened Southville in the city’s Rüttenscheid district last week (9 October) following two and a half years of development. The site, a former amusement arcade and Chinese restaurant, becomes Loungers’ 321st venue.
Southville takes the core all day café bar model behind the Lounge brand but has been adapted for the German market following research into local consumer behaviour and the country’s food and beverage sector.
Executive chairman Alex Reilley said the opening was the “first of what we hope will be many in Germany”, while the group confirmed it was already exploring further international opportunities.
Reilley said: “Southville gives us the freedom to evolve the Lounge DNA in a new context. We’ve approached Germany with curiosity rather than assumption, and the response so far suggests there’s real appetite for what we do.”
Chief executive Nick Collins said the group had spent the past year researching the German market and would use the first opening to “learn, adapt and build”.
The move adds a new international growth route for Loungers alongside its continued expansion in the UK.
Punch invests £250k in Aylesbury pub
Punch Pubs & Co has reopened the Broad Leys in Aylesbury following a £250,000 investment.
The Wendover Road pub has undergone a full internal and external refurbishment, including upgrades to its bar areas, décor and signage, alongside its existing large beer garden.
The site has been taken on by new management partners John Hardy and Eleanor Guppy, who have more than 20 years of experience operating pubs.
The pair plan to focus on food, service and a programme of community events and evenings.
Punch operations manager Byron Thomas described the site as a “sleeping giant” and said the investment was intended to bring the pub back to life.
Lapen Inns takes on closed village pub
Multi site operator Lapen Inns has taken over the White Horse Inn in Swavesey, Cambridgeshire, with plans to reopen the village pub following its closure in March.
The Grade II listed Market Street pub dates back to the 18th century and has previously been recognised as an Asset of Community Value.
Lapen Inns, which also operates sites including the Old Crown in Girton and Corner House in Cambridge, said it planned to retain the White Horse’s identity as a village local while developing its food and hospitality offer.
The operator said it was consulting residents over what they would like to see from the pub when it returns. A reopening date is yet to be confirmed.
Young’s to reopen Esher pub following refurbishment
Young’s Pubs is set to reopen the Wheatsheaf in Esher on 6 November following an extensive refurbishment.
The 159 cover pub on Esher Green has undergone upgrades to its interiors and outdoor areas, including a revamped bar, new booth seating and coffee counter, while retaining heritage features including its original open fireplace.
Its 94 cover garden and terrace have also been refurbished with new landscaping and paving, while a 14 seat private dining room has been upgraded for meetings and events.
The pub will reopen with a seasonal British food menu alongside Young’s Original, premium draught lagers and cocktails.
The project continues Young’s investment across its Surrey estate, following work at the Bear in Oxshott and the Swan in Walton on Thames.
Castle Pubs refurbishes historic Oxford music pub
Mitchells & Butlers’ Castle Pubs group is set to reopen the Jericho Tavern in Oxford on 29 October following a major refurbishment.
The 226 cover pub has undergone a full interior refurb and layout changes, alongside upgrades to its events spaces and 84 cover beer garden.
Its upstairs events space has also been redesigned for live music, comedy, community events and private hire, while retaining links to the pub’s music heritage, which includes early performances from Pulp and Mumford & Sons.
Large screens and Sky Sports have been introduced, while the food offer will include British pub dishes and stone baked pizzas from a new pizza oven.
The refurbishment forms part of Castle Pubs’ wider investment programme, with the operator planning investment across 12 sites as it heads into 2027.
Flight Club to open 17th UK site in Exeter
Red Engine is set to open its 17th UK Flight Club venue in Exeter on 11 December.
The 300 capacity venue will occupy the former Revolution site on Queen Street and span two floors, with 10 separate dart areas, alongside a food and drink offer.
Located close to Exeter train station, the opening continues Flight Club’s regional expansion following launches in Oxford, Newcastle and Reading.
The venue will feature the brand’s Victorian fairground inspired interiors, designed in house to combine competitive socialising with elements of a traditional British pub.
The opening also marks a return to Devon for founders Steve Moore and Paul Barham, who came up with the idea for Flight Club while watching customers play darts in a Devon pub in 2012.
Rutland village pub hits market for £850k
The Fox in North Luffenham, Rutland, has been brought to market with a freehold asking price of £850,000.
The village pub and restaurant features a handcrafted central bar, lounge and restaurant with around 45 covers, alongside a first floor function room with darts and screens.
Outside, the property includes two trading areas, a car park and outbuildings, while a two bedroom flat provides accommodation for an owner or manager.
The pub underwent a comprehensive refurbishment in 2014 and has been operated by Jason Allen for the past 13 years. Allen, who has owned and operated pubs in Rutland for 25 years, is selling as he moves towards semi retirement.
Christie & Co is handling the sale.
Proper Pubs invests £280k in Preston pub
Proper Pubs has reopened the Arkwrights in Preston following an investment of more than £280,000.
The pub reopened on 1 October following a full refurbishment, including new flooring, fixtures, fittings, furniture and décor, alongside upgrades to its exterior and signage.
The pub has been taken on by first time operator Aiden Bowley after he completed Proper Pubs’ 12 week Pathways training programme, having previously worked as an assistant manager at another of the operator’s Preston sites.
The drinks offer includes draught lager, stout and cider alongside wines, spirits and a new cocktail menu.
Historic Glasgow pub sold
Brechins Bar, one of Glasgow’s oldest pubs, has been sold for an undisclosed sum.
Dating back to 1798, the wet led community pub occupies a prominent position on Govan Road and has been operated by the Cameron family.
The property features a central island bar surrounded by a spacious trading area and has longstanding links to Govan’s local history and whisky heritage.
The building originally housed Cardell Hall, a meeting place associated with the Rechabites temperance movement, before becoming a licensed premises.
Christie & Co handled the sale and said the transaction demonstrated continued demand for pubs despite the trading pressures facing operators.
Six figure investment backs Ted’s Crazy Golf expansion
Ted’s Crazy Golf is expanding into London as part of a six figure self-funded investment across its first two venues.
The immersive entertainment concept will open a 5,000 sq ft site at the former Temper restaurant on Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, on 22 October, following its Oxford debut in August.
The London venue has undergone a 12 week transformation and will feature two nine hole crazy golf courses alongside a food and drink offer, with capacity for 175 guests and 20 new jobs.
Founded by magician and experience designer Larissa Sophie Houghton, the brand will operate 15,000 sq ft across its two venues. Its 10,000 sq ft Oxford site also features a retro inspired bar and diner and is adding two duck pin bowling lanes this month.
Historic Leicestershire pub sold off £1.5m asking price
The Dog & Hedgehog in Dadlington, Leicestershire, has been sold for an undisclosed sum off a £1.5m freehold asking price.
Dating back to the 18th century, the pub occupies a site of around one acre overlooking the site of the Battle of Bosworth.
The property includes a 50 cover bar, restaurant space for around 100 customers and a large beer garden, alongside two residential cottages, outbuildings, garages and a four bedroom apartment.
The pub was brought to market with vacant possession following the retirement of long standing tenant Bill Reinking, ending Sandra MacDonald’s 15 year ownership.
Christie & Co handled the sale and said it had received significant interest from former customers keen to see the pub reopen.
Admiral and licensee invest £200k in Denbigh pub
Admiral Taverns and licensee Emma Lavery have invested £200,000 in the refurbishment of the Plough Inn in Denbigh.
The Bridge Street pub reopened on 26 September following upgrades to its interior, while retaining original features including its traditional wooden flooring.
The refurbishment also includes new windows and signage, an extended decked beer garden and screens showing Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
Lavery took over the pub earlier this year, continuing a family connection after her grandparents operated the site for more than 30 years.
The pub will focus on live sport, entertainment and community events.
Oxfordshire village pub lease taken on by growing operator
The lease of The Mole Inn near Oxford has been acquired by operators Valentin Raileanu and Karina Muliar as they expand to a second site.
The husband and wife team, who also operate The Ash Tree in Ashendon, have taken on the village pub from the Heather family, which has owned the property for several decades.
Located around five miles from Oxford city centre, The Mole Inn features extensive grounds and a landscaped garden and attracts trade from the surrounding villages alongside walkers, cyclists and visitors.
Raileanu said the pair planned to build on the pub’s existing food and community offer while introducing new ideas.
Christie & Co handled the leasing process, which generated considerable interest in the site.
