The work, which is part of the former InnBrighton’s move away from nightclubs, was halted because of work to the seafront road above – part of which collapsed into another Laine pub, the Fortune of War, in June. But Laine Pub Company chief executive Gavin George told M&C Report he expected work to recommence in December and the pub to re-open in the first part of 2015.
George said the venue would boast a “completely unique” interior and an entertainment offer to match its established venues.
It follows the revamp of the former Tube nightclub into a beachside version of the Brighton staple, Riki Tik. The venue, which opened last Thursday, expands the successful Jamaican music bar concept of the same name in the city centre.
George said: “What’s on offer fits perfectly for a seafront location. The guys at Riki Tik have done a great job and it’s a name that is well known in Brighton so we thought it would work well. The first weekend has been really encouraging.”
He said the company had a pipeline of potential acquisitions in London, where it currently operates eight pubs, and its heartland in Brighton. He said expansion into other areas of the country wouldn’t be ruled out but was not being considered in the short-term.
He said the company was on the process of strengthening its infrastructure in London to meet the needs of a growing estate but stressed head office functions would remain in Brighton.
Laine Pub Company reported lfl sales up 7.3% in the year to 30 June 2014 with underlying EBITDA up 10% to £2.9m.
George said he was pleased with the figures and said the company’s focus on establishing itself in locations within the capital that matched its target demographic was proving fruitful.
He said the involvement of Luke Johnson, whose Risk Capital Partners invested in the company in July, had provided more than mere financial muscle.
He said: “RCP are sector investors and so that comes with a lot of experience and knowledge. They have been very supportive.”