‘Game-changing’ bar group submits plans for two city centre venues

A fast-growing hospitality operator has submitted detailed plans to create two new bars within Grade II listed buildings in Nottingham city centre.

Arc Inspirations runs a raft of venues across the North of England under the Box, Manahatta and Banyan Bar & Kitchen brands.

Earlier this year, we reported that the Leeds-based company had submitted a license application to open one of its high-end Manahatta cocktail bars in the former French Connection unit at 6 Victoria Street and made a similar request to open one of its Banyan bars at 2-3 Thurland Street.

Arc describes its Manahatta venues as “glamorous cocktail bar[s] that bring the exciting unmistakable beat of New York to the UK.”

TheBusinessDesk.com can now reveal that the firm has submitted extensive proposals to transform both sites but intends to open a sports bar on Thurland Street instead of the previously advertised Banyan.

The Box bar would occupy the basement, ground and first floors of the site, which was built in 1879 and was once home to the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank.

The bank was converted into a pair of retail units – the space to which Arc’s application relates – in 2004.

Arc is also proposing to refurbish the basement, ground and first floors at Victoria Street and wants to build a new mezzanine between the ground and first floor of the venue.

Both bars have been designed by MDA Architects.

Arc has already agreed to take the lease on the premises at Thurland Street “subject to securing the requisite listed building consent” and hopes to open the sports bar this winter, according to planning documents submitted on its behalf.

The firm says any alterations it makes to the buildings will be “entirely respectful.”

Arc Inspirations was formed in 1999 by Martin Wolstencroft and Chris Ure. It initially catered for the student population in the Headingley area of Leeds but has since expanded significantly.

The company secured £19m from BGF – the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investor – back in April.

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