Ei Group has grown its Bermondsey Pub Company managed division to 50 outlets and opened a second Waiting Rooms pub.
The group has converted the former Baht’ap site in Leeds city centre to the concept, which has the tagline ‘dispensing great beer and food’.
The Leeds site has an offer based around beers from Yorkshire brewers, artisan gins as well as a selection of British cheese and charcuterie, as well as “posh toasties”.
Bermondsey already operates a Waiting Rooms pub in Newcastle’s Westgate Road.
Yesterday, the group announced it has launched its first interactive escape room, in partnership with Handmade Mysteries, at The Hope, Farringdon.
Handmade Mysteries, which works with artists, interior designers, comedy script-writers and musicians, operates its immersive team game called ‘Lady Chastity’s Reserve’, which challenges pub-goers to attempt to escape a themed room.
Henry Fairbanks, openings and pipeline director at Bermondsey said: “We’re really excited to be working with Handmade Mysteries. The games they have set up in their current sites produce fantastic additional footfall and revenue, and I’m confident with the new offering at The Hope we will see much of the same.
“We aim to create fantastic pub experiences across the Bermondsey Pub Company estate, and working with Handmade Mysteries allows our customers to enjoy something unique, that will enhance their view of the pub and the role it plays. “
James Addy, co-owner of Handmade Mysteries, said: “We are really excited to be doing what we hope to be the first of many game rooms with such a high profile national pub operator. These types of partnerships deliver a real win-win as we get great spaces to put our games in, whilst attracting new customers to the pub who come to play then stay, eat and drink.
“The Hope is a great space, due to its city location, which helps attract pub goers looking for a different kind of experience with friends.”
