Two Westside pubs are set to reopen this week after benefiting from a near £1 million cash injection from Britain’s biggest pub company.
The Slug & Lettuce on Brindleyplace reopens this Friday 1 March after Stonegate invested £650,000 in refitting its modern premises facing the nearby Waters Edge bandstand.
And The Brasshouse on Broad Street reopens a day earlier this Thursday 29 February after the company paid £304,000 to refurbish the Grade II-listed venue, which dates back to 1781.
The Brasshouse was first opened as a pub by Ansells 40 years ago. Its reopening on Thursday’s Leap Year Day will create 15 new front of house jobs as well as an extra 15 dining covers outside.
Al fresco diners will overlook the picturesque Birmingham Old Main Line Canal which runs below the adjacent Black Sabbath Bridge, home to Broad Street’s world-famous Black Sabbath Bench, itself currently undergoing restoration.
As well as continuing to concentrate on pub grub favourites and an extended range of cask and craft beers, The Brasshouse will have a new emphasis on cocktails.
Stonegate has announced that returning regulars will find upgraded bars and dining areas, with a “new weekly events agenda” including Cask Ales Tuesday, Karaoke Thursdays, RNB Classics Saturdays and Live Lounge Sundays.
Visitors attending the grand launch party at 7pm on Friday 1 March will receive “free bubbles” with the evening including a live soul singer and late-night DJ set.
The Brasshouse is already celebrating two recent awards: it picked up the Pub of the Year and Pub Manager of the Year trophies at Westside BID’s WOWs awards in January.
Chris Mason, manager at The Brasshouse, said: “The last investment into The Brasshouse was more than ten years ago, so it’s really exciting to have the space revamped.
“We want to make our pub the ultimate place on Broad Street to have a pint, a glass of wine or a cocktail whether you’re an office worker, weekend visitor or party-goer.
“The team is passionate about creating the best experiences for our customers and we are looking forward to welcoming our community back to The Brasshouse.”
The Slug & Lettuce refurbishment includes a new colour scheme, a VIP booth with marble tabletops, mirrorballs, murals, neon lights and ‘theatrical’ cocktail glasses.
The food menu has also been refreshed and on Sundays there will be a two-hour ‘Endless Lunch’ offer with drinks included.
Becky Southern, head of marketing at the Slug & Lettuce, said: “The latest development brings the Birmingham Slug & Lettuce into the fold of our next generation sites as we continue to monitor and tweak the concept as we roll out.”
In what’s been a great start to 2024 for Westside, the twin investments are worth a combined £954,000 and follow other major redevelopments at the heart of Birmingham’s best-loved entertainment area.
On 1 February, Verve Lounge opened in the home of the old Bobby Browns on Gas Street – with the promise of other parts of the canalside building to be redeveloped with various themes over time.
Meanwhile, the city’s favourite nightclub Snobs is set to leave Smallbrook Queensway this weekend – before reopening in Broad Street’s totally transformed Velvet Music Rooms site on 13 March.
ENDS
