Hundreds of jobs are in the pipeline with two premium bars next to open in Nottingham. New York-style Manahatta will be opening in the former shop of fashion retailer French Connection in Victoria Street while BOX sports bar is destined to take over the former All Saints shop in Thurland Street.
Arc Inspirations, the award-winning bar group behind the plans, has just posted record figures and unveiled its biggest ever opening programme. The two Nottingham bars are amongst five new UK sites opening in the next six months bringing 500 new jobs in total. The operator reported "exceptionally-strong recovery from Covid disruption" and record group sales and profits of £38.9m and £7.5m respectively.
Co-founder and chief executive Martin Wolstencroft said: “This was an exceptional and transformational year for our company. We started it with significant restrictions still in place during the first quarter, and we ended it by posting record sales and profits, concluding a new growth partnership with BGF, and being awarded two industry ‘Oscars’ – for best company and best operations team.
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“This is a testament to our team and culture. We are now able to contemplate a year without any trading restrictions for the first time since 2019. While clearly challenges remain, the business is extremely well-positioned with a clear growth plan, an exceptional pipeline of new sites, strong customer brands and two new strategic partnerships, which when combined will enable the business to capitalise on market opportunities over the next five years.”
The platform for this performance was established amid the various lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, and a company-wide determination to improve the business in different ways. The group has opened two two new flagship venues within the last year. Manahatta, opened in Temple Street, Birmingham – the first site in the Midlands – and a BOX in Deansgate, Manchester. There are further plans to double the size of the business in the next three to five years.
The building in Thurland Street, along with neighbouring 11 Pelham Street, was constructed in 1879 to form the base for the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank. The bank was converted into two separate retail units in 2004.
The bar group have been searching for a suitable location in Nottingham for some time, and have identified the premises as an ideal site for their 'Box' bar concept – which they say is a "game changing, high-quality sports bar to eat, drink, view, play and party".
The city already has a number of sports bars including The Southbank Bar, in Friar Lane; Huddle, in The Poultry, Shooters, within Bierkeller across the road from The Southbank; OZ Bar in St James' Street; and Rileys Sports Bar on the same street.
The former French Connection shop was constructed in 1896 to form the base of the Midland Bank but is empty after French Connection vacated the premises in January 2020.
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