Bar group Novus has unveiled its ‘new look’ Balls Brothers brand.
Novus, which bought the Balls Brothers chain of London bars in January, has spent £300,000 refurbishing the Lime Street site and renaming it the Lime Street Exchange.
The aim is to widen the current customer base of City professionals to all those working nearby.
New furniture and finishes have been designed to improve customer comfort whilst maintaining a flexibility that allows the site to accommodate parties and group bookings. Booths and private rooms have been installed.
Two private dining rooms have been created in partnership with Champagne brand Pommery. The Cuvee Louise room and the Vintage room will hold up to 12 people.
The new site is to re-open on 21 September.
Novus chief executive Steve Richards said: “The investment we have put into the Lime Street Exchange from the stunning refurbishment to staff training, and also the adjustment of the current food and drinks menus, equates to around £300,000.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure that the new venue is welcomed by our strong existing customer base, whilst the exciting new scheme and changes to the customer offer will open the doors for potential new custom. This initial activity at our Lime Street location will help create the new mould for Balls Brothers across the whole group.”
Julian Taylor Design Associates helped redesign the outlet.
Balls Brothers went into administration last November. It is believed that the company had repeatedly breached its banking covenants and owed Barclay Bank £7m. In the year to January 2009, the last accounts at Companies House show that the company slumped from a post-tax profit of £2.6m to a loss of £224,000.
