Pub & restaurant operator, TLC Inns has taken on the lease of The Victory on Mersea Island, near Colchester, in Essex, the first of what the firm hopes will be a number of pubs with Star Pubs & Bars.
The Victory is the company’s first addition to its Essex and East Anglia estate in five years. It currently has six pubs and six Grand Central Bar & Grills with plans to increase the estate to 20 venues within the next two to three years.
The Victory is the company’s first site with accommodation. It currently consists of eight letting rooms though following a £250k total refurbishment of the pub later this year will be increased to 12 rooms. Going forward, TLC Inns intends to add accommodation to existing sites where feasible and it believes there will be demand and is actively looking for quality sites with accommodation for future growth of the company.
The Victory has 120 covers inside and capacity for a further 300 people in the large pub garden which also features a children’s play area. In addition to extra letting rooms, and an upgrade of the pub, TLC Inns intends to increase the kitchen size so the pub can offer a broader, more adventurous menu.
Steve Haslam, who founded and runs TLC Inns with his wife Jo, said: “We want to develop accommodation as it provides an extra revenue stream for our pubs and restaurants. It is also in line with the growth in UK based vacations and short stays as well as ongoing business usage.
“We’ve wanted to work with Star for a while now as we had heard good feedback from other multiple operators. We hope there’ll be more opportunities to do so. The Victory is ideal for us. It is in a great location and needs some TLC so gives us the opportunity to add value, which is what we do well.”
Tim Galligan, operations & sales director, said, “We’re delighted to be working with Steve and Jo of TLC Inns. They are top quality operators with a multi award winning business.
“The Victory is in a wonderful waterfront location with fantastic views over the Blackwater estuary. Their plans will take it to the next level, enhancing its reputation and establishing it as a great local and destination pub.”
