Missoula and Luna opened on consecutive nights at the beginning of November, with both businesses owned and operated by Stonegate and managed by Solihull licensee Emma Pugh.
“Our first couple of weeks have been hugely successful for both Missoula and Luna”, said Pugh. “The town is in need of a bar with a touch of sophistication and Missoula certainly oozes that, whilst in Luna, I’m proud to say we’ve created a nightclub that rivals the best Birmingham has to offer.
“With its exclusive seating layout and mezzanine level framing the dancefloor, Luna has an intimate and luxurious feel and is sure to be on the radar of any discerning West Midlands clubber.”
Mod cons
A new computerized kitchen management system has been installed at the bar and restaurant, ensuring that customer orders are processed, monitored and delivered more efficiently.
A six-figure sum has been spent refurbishing the High Street building that houses the two businesses, creating 53 new jobs in the process.
Solihull Missoula is the thirteenth Missoula to open across the country, with the bar serving breakfast and the restaurant offering an American-inspired range including the signature dish; pizza, freshly rolled, topped with the house sauce and baked to order.
The next-door Luna nightclub will feature iPad-linked drinks menus, LED lighting displays, weekly celebrity DJs and an array of live entertainment. The drinks menu includes ‘gold-plated’ ACE Champagne along with an extensive cocktail list.
Albert's Academy
Meanwhile, Stonegate Pub Company, the 550-strong national pub operator, has just opened its own development centre, known as Albert’s Academy.
Based in Birmingham, the Academy will provide a multi-functional space for learning and development across all aspects of the business, including a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen and five individual kitchen training pods along with two training rooms known as ‘Albert’s Theatre’ and ‘Albert’s Study’ and a cellar training facility.
Lee Woolley, Stonegate Pub Company’s head of learning and development, said: “The investment in this new Academy demonstrates our desire to invest in the people within our business, developing their skillsets.
“We believe strongly that investing in our people leads to successful businesses and this centre will play a vital role in that.”
The development centre officially opened on Thursday 1 November.