Sports Bar & Grill said it is keen to continue to open new sites at London stations, but is battling against increased competition for transport hub loactions.
The chain, which is situated at London station hubs in Marylebone, Waterloo, Victoria, Farringdon, and Canary Wharf, is still looking for new transport hub sites to roll-out the sports bar brand.
Operations director Jane White said: “It is about option and opportunity.
“Unfortunately we tended for Liverpool Street and didn’t get it. It is hard to get into them because there is limited space, it is not as if you can extend outside and the majority of stations are listed buildings.”
The company launched its first site in Marylebone in 2008 when “there were some grotty pubs in stations” she said. However, she admits that a lot of bar and restaurant brands have recognised the potential of transport hubs meaning there is increased competition for sites.
She says Kings Cross would be one station that Sports Bar & Grill would be keen to have a site. It opened its fifth site in Canary Wharf last year.
“Canary Wharf is CrossRail and is managed by Canary Wharf Estate and they did mystery dining as they wanted a different eclectic mix,” she said.
The chain is to recruit additional staff for major events such as the Euros this year.
“We know for major events like the Euros and the Rugby last year we need to take on additional staff.
“We need a month to train them, to learn the menu and be confident. We always have a plethora of staff but for major events we know we need the extra. They need to know your brand, your standard of service and need to know about the Euros and who is playing.”
The company has a range of landlords for its sites including Network Rail.
