Hawthorn Leisure has abandoned its student-focussed Stone & Taps concept, MCA has learnt.
In December the group converted former Corn Law Rhymer, in Rotherham, to the burger, cocktails, craft beers and pizzas format. It was followed in February by the former Swim Inn, Sheffield.
Both were conversions from the 11-storng package of pubs the group acquired from JD Wetherspoon last year.
The group spent £140,000 on the refurbishment in Sheffield and said at the time the format had been created “primarily, though not exclusively for the student market in Sheffield with the intention of rolling it out to other UK cities”.
However, the company has confirmed to MCA that the model has now been abandoned in both sites.
A spokeswoman said: “The new Stone & Taps concept did not meet trade projections in the two sites where it was tried. Sheffield has closed whilst we assess next steps whilst Rotherham operates under a different format.”
