Carlos Maidana, the founder of PS – the Pub Company has told M&C Report he has already had discussions with possible investors about backing the rollout of his Blue’s Smokehouse concept.
Maidana opens his second Blue’s Smokehouse this weekend after a £300,000 refurbishment with landlords Star Pubs & Bars of the Twickenham Tavern on London Road, Twickenham .
He said he hoped to grow the brand to five before bringing in external funding but said he had already strengthened the infrastructure of the company, which also operates four gastropubs, to prepare for expansion. As part of this directors of finance and admin have been brought in
The company has already had discussions over sites in Oxford, Staines and Brighton for a third Blue’s Smokehouse and Maidana told M&C Report that the firm’s first freehold, in Frieth, Oxfordshire, is due to open in the summer.
He said the company would like to open more gastro-pubs but the focus for expansion would be on Blue’s Smokehouses.
He said: “We want to keep things relatively close to our base of Oxfordshire and so we are looking at the M40/M3 corridor to London. Brighton is a little further but we think it’s an area that would work for Blue’s Smokehouse.
“We are looking at places with good footfall and ideally students. We want places where there are plenty of people who want a cost-effective, good quality experience.
“We have really worked at this concept and we are doing it properly with genuine imported American smokers, our own rubs, marinades and sauces. A lot of places claim to be a smokehouse but they’re not. To be the real deal you have to invest in the technology and in the skills. That’s what separates a quality offer from something being shipped from a production warehouse – though there is, of course, a place for that too.”
The Twickenham venue has a 90-seater dining area and 45sqm bar and includes an open server. An Italian / American ice cream bar is also included for desserts such as sundaes as well as milk shakes and smoothies. Heineken’s SmartDispense system has been installed.
Chris Jowsey, trading director Star Pubs & Bars, said: “It has been exciting to be involved with such a dynamic brand from the start. Heineken is the best selling beer in Blue’s Smokehouse and with Heineken’s sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup this summer it will be great to have such a high profile bar stocking their brands close to Twickenham Stadium.”
