Ooh arr! Bid for pirate theme bar in the pipeline
PLANS for a new bar next to Birmingham’s Mailbox mall – possibly with a pirate theme – have been unveiled.
New World Trading Company, the pub group behind The Botanist chain which opened in Birmingham city centre last year, is planning to renovate the former James Brindley pub in Bridge Street.
Also among its brands is Smugglers Cove – which it operates in Liverpool’s historic Albert Dock area and which is decked out with a pirate theme, including barrels and models of ships.
The venue also offers masterclasses in rum and cocktails and ale tasting sessions. Rumours suggest the company is planning to create a second Smugglers Cove in Birmingham but the company stressed these plans, recently submitted to Birmingham City Council, were still at an early stage.
The James Brindley was built in the 1980s, replacing a former canalside warehouse, but has been vacant for eight years. The new venue is expected to create 90 full- and part-time jobs and is due to open by October 2017, according to the planning application.
A statement prepared by P4 Planning in support of the project said: “The proposed alterations will transform the dated, vacant and now derelict appearance of the pub and enable it to re-open.
“The pub has been closed for eight years and its dated and abandoned appearance currently detracts significantly from the canalside location, including the historic canal and listed buildings on Gas Street. The design to modernise the pub’s appearance is very much in keeping with the character of the area.
“The proposal will rejuvenate and bring a long-derelict building back into productive use, generating employment opportunities and enhancing the character of the canal basin and setting of surrounding listed buildings.”