Managed pub operator Orchid, has launched the first of its new style of carvery pubs in an aim to bring a larger variety of customers to their pubs.
Glass walls have been installed in nine pubs so far to give the illusion of a larger space without having to actually extend any of the sites. A further 50 will re revamped over the next two years. The pubs retain their focus of offering high quality British produce with good value for money. Spend is prioritised by front of house features such as booth seating, feature walls, in-built seat TVs and prominent carvery decks. Investment costs range from £50,000 to £300,000. The glass walls allow each group of people, whether it be people watching the football, families enjoying some quality time together or older guests meeting for a catch up, to enjoy the pubs at the same time.
The Young Pretender in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire was one of the first pubs to welcome the new style and has since seen year-on-year sales increase by 28% as it now attracts a wider range of customers. Another is the Ainsworth Arms in Manchester which has again welcomed the new design and has seen a 62% increase in like-for-like sales over the last year.
Next large scale investments will be a £300,000 reurbishment of the Moby Dick in Romford, Essex and the Pentre Gwilym in Wales (converted from Free House Dining).