SCOTTISH beer maker and bar company Brewdog has pulled plans for a bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter - but still intends to open in the city.
Instead, the firm is lining up the former Electric Boogaloo unit on Peter Street, opposite the five-star Radisson Edwardian hotel.
"I think there'll be more than one (bar), but I'm talking long term - more than three years. We just want to get established in the city first."
Bruce Gray, head of bar operations at Brewdog, told Confidential he'd been alerted to Peter Street by the firm's Manchester-based solicitors.
He also said their original plans to open on Newton Street had changed because of the time it was going to take to get a licence for the premises.
"There were just too many potential complications with the Northern Quarter site," he said. "It was looking like six months before we got a licensing decision, and that's before you even get in to start refurbishing the place.
"But we just want a presence in Manchester and we'd been looking at other places. Electric Boogaloo already has a licence and although there's nothing concrete signed yet, it is a place we're looking at.
"It could be signed in three days or it could be three months. There's still a bit of paperwork to do."
Gray said he was encouraged by operators like Trof moving into Peter Street (see our story on the Trof revived Albert Hall here).
He also said the firm may open a second bar in Manchester at some point in the future.
"I'm led to believe there's a different vibe on Peter Street these days," he said.
"The area is being re-invented more in line with what we do as a bar operator, compared to the way it used to be.
"I think there'll be more than one (bar in Manchester), but I'm talking long term - more than three years. We just want to get established in the city first."
Gray said the firm had kept an open mind about where to open its Manchester bar, however, adding that there was no shortage of units to look at.
"We'll look anywhere in a city. Some are off the beaten track, others are slap bang in the middle of the main drinking area of the city, but they just work," he said. "It just has to be the right spot for that particular bar."
Brewdog was set up in 2007 with a £30,000 bank loan and has since grown into a company set to turnover £6.5m for 2011. It also offers customers the chance to buy a stake in the business through its 'Equity for Punks' share scheme. More than 1,000 people have invested so far.
COMMENT
This is the second positive step in re-vitalising Peter Street. The take over by Trof of part of Brannigans was good news and this is good news too.
It's also best for Brewdog as a company.
The Northern Quarter is perhaps becoming over-heated with venues. There is huge potential for another intelligent bar operator in this part of town - the success of Gaslamp and Oast House not far away prove the point.
Stephen Miles, the manager of the Radisson Edwardian Hotel opposite the Brewdog site, told Confidential a couple of years ago that he hoped the decline of barn-bars such as the odious Squares would see a better type of establishment, more individual and responsible, arrive on Peter Street.
He's getting his way.
We've also had the announcement of the arrival of All Star Lanes bowling alley this week very close to Brewdog - the third Peter Street exclusive Confidential has had this month. Another quality operator in the area.
With Bar 38 up for sale all we need is a really good company to move in there, and one in the old Chicago Rock site, to almost complete the metamorphosis. (JS)
Illuminated sign still working on the ex-Electric Boogaloo bar - Brewdog may get rid of this sign but isn't it post ironic funny for a beer bar?
