The Discovery Group readies its 16th venue
The Discovery Group is expanding its estate with Star Pubs.
A multiple pub and bar operator with venues from Newcastle to Edinburgh will soon be opening its 16th venue.
The Discovery Group, led by Steven Winton, is expanding its estate across northern England and Scotland by taking its first long-term lease with Star Pubs.
The two companies are now embarking on a joint £850,000 refurbishment of The County Hotel in North Berwick, which has been permanently closed since the summer of 2019.
When the project is complete, The County Hotel will have two separate bars, a restaurant with a bar, function space, 11 en suite letting rooms and one of the largest gardens in the town.
The site will be renamed The Law – after a landmark North Berwick hill – to signal its new direction. It is expected to reopen by early-September.
"All our sites to date are leased and we expect that to continue," says Winton (pictured above left with co-director Jamie MacKinnon). "We like the partnership aspect, and the support leasing brings from financial investment through to resources such as marketing and training."
The Law won
The extensive project will completely renovate the exterior of the Category C-listed building and develop a 100-seater garden to the rear.
Inside, the downstairs will have a contemporary new bar at the front with screens showing sports like golf and rugby.
A former stable at the back will be turned into a second bar overlooking the garden, complete with a pizza oven.
The Discovery Group says it is eyeing further expansion in the eastern side of Scotland’s Central Belt, where it currently has eight sites.
"We’re delighted to be working with the Discovery Group to bring The County Hotel back to life," adds Star Pubs operations director for Scotland Matt Dyson. "They’ve got a reputation for outstanding food, drink and service and, with a successful pub in the town already, they understand what residents and North Berwick’s many visitors want. We’re giving the refurbishment the works; it’s a massive investment and The Law will look fantastic."
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