A multiple operator trialling Brakspear’s first concept specifically targeting an urban demographic says he would like to work with the company to roll it out.
Daniel Wright opened The Joker in Brighton’s Preston Circus last week, having been tasked to transform the venue to attract a growing customer base in that corner of the city.
Wright, who has run the Funfair Club in Brighton for the past three years, told M&C Report he wanted to create “a Shoreditch style venue” with a separate gig space ‘the Devil’s disco’ upstairs and partnering with Orange Buffalo to provide food.
He said: “It’s something very different for Brakspear and I think a lot of people would be surprised to see their name on the sign outside this pub. I know they’re looking for sites in London and they are going to be looking closely at how we do here. I would love to work with them on opening more pubs under this concept.”
The site, in Preston Circus, was previously Circus, Circus and Wright said the venue had become out of step in an area which had seen an explosion of high-quality pubs with the arrival of Loungers and Indigo Pub Company offering Meantime’s tank beer in the refurbished Hare & Hounds.
Wright said: “The audience is already here and the sales in the first few days of opening have exceeded what we expected to take for the week.”
Wright, who has signed a ten-year lease with Brakspear tied for wines and beer, said the original plan had been for an opening in the New Year to allow a roof terrace to be added to the venue. But he persuaded Brakspear to open in time for the Christmas rush.
The food offer from Orange Buffalo will include wings with six different levels of sauce, including one super-hot option called the Viper. The menu will include a ‘snake in a basket’ concept, including six wings with one covered in Viper sauce. Coffee will be provided by local firm, Small Batch Coffee.
Wright said his focus would be on The Joker for the next six months but would then target further sites in Brighton and London.
