Food and drink round-up: Revolución de Cuba; Allotment; Avalanche

THE New Inventive Bar Company said its rum-themed Revolución de Cuba bar in Manchester is in rude health as it marks its second anniversary.

Revenues have doubled over the past year, said the company, and staff numbers are up to 115, from 56.

It now has a weekly footfall of 10,000 and around 3,000 people on a Saturday night. The restaurant accounts for around 20% of turnover.

The Manchester venue was the fifth standalone Revolución de Cuba to open in the UK and is one of New Inventive’s 67 venues nationwide.  

General manager Ronnie Timmermans said: “The hospitality industry is a competitive industry in which to work, yet we have surpassed all expectations. There isn’t any real secret to our success. De Cuba has a unique offering with something for everyone, every day of the week and our approach to staff development attracts a hardworking and committed workforce.”

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GAVIN Williams and James Kennedy have opened Allotment Bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter with the help of a £75,000 loan from The Royal Bank of Scotland.

The Dale Street venture has created 11 jobs and is aiming to turnover £700,000 in the first year.

Mr Williams said: “It’s very exciting opening our doors to the Manchester community and so far we have been thrilled at the attention Allotment Bar has attracted. We are privileged to be surrounded by a vibrant business community and residential housing and see our location as a real unique selling point. Exciting times are ahead and we are looking forward to establishing ourselves and being recognised as a top provider of food and drink in Manchester.”

Stuart McNaboe, RBS Relationship Manager, said: “Dealing with start-ups is always exciting as the passion and enthusiasm from entrepreneurs looking to seek finance never fails to amaze me. Gavin and James have been a pleasure to deal with as they were a strong management team from the start and instilled confidence in me by investing 50% of their own funds into the business. I wish them all the very best as they settle into their popular location and confident they will be a real success story as they did their homework thoroughly.”

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ITALIAN restaurant Avalanche is to invest £200,000 into the launch of a new lounge bar called Lusso Lounge.

It will refurbish the Booth Street venue SubZero, below the restaurant, as part of a £2m expansion strategy that will see it launch two further sites in Cheshire.

Managing director Zara Ishaq said: “Since its launch in 2012, Avalanche has gone from strength to strength and has surpassed our projected turnover figure for 2013. We’ve built up a customer-base of loyal individuals and are proud to have gained a credible reputation in a city that is famed for its great restaurants and bars. We’re hopeful that Lusso Lounge will enjoy the same success as Avalanche and are working hard to ensure that we create a venue that Manchester will love.”

The restaurant had a turnover of around £2m in its first year. The new venture is expected to create 25 jobs.