Livelyhood Pubs accelerates growth with two new sites

Pub operator Livelyhood has lined up two new openings as part of its plans to expand the group within its south London heartland and further afield, operations director Tom Talbot has told MCA.

It will open The Artful Duke in Bromley in August, with another site planned for this autumn, which will take its estate up to eight.

Talbot said the business was “keen to now grow faster than we have been before”. While the pandemic saw its growth plans disrupted, he said the business had been making sure it had the right structure in place to move forward and grow.

The group is also looking to extend its current geographical reach. The opening planned for the autumn would “allow us to evolve Livelyhood with the location”.

“Our heartland is South London and that will always be important to us but we have identified a number of locations that we think have got the right demographic and relevant competition and that takes us out of South London,” he said.

Talbot said it was currently working on its strategy for growth while maintaining what makes Livelyhood what it is at the moment.

It acquired the leasehold site in Bromley early last year with the opening delayed because of the pandemic. The 3,000 sq ft venue, located at 198 High Street, was once a famous wine merchants owned by George Pamphilon in the 18^th century and will be turned into a neighbourhood venue with 150-cover inside and a 60-cover heated outdoor terrace.

Commenting on the new opening Sarah Wall, owner of Livelyhood said: “As we take the next, hugely positive steps in our growth plan, we are absolutely delighted to announce the opening of a new Livelyhood neighbourhood pub.

“Not only creating opportunities to grow our team, but also working in partnership with our outstanding suppliers and local businesses to create a warm and inviting pub in the heart of this perfect Livelyhood location.”