Job-creating sports bar plans move forward – but second venue increasingly in doubt

BOX / Arc Inspirations

A major UK hospitality operator has told TheBusinessDesk.com it has been granted a licence to open a 12,000 sq ft sports bar in Nottingham city centre – but it remains unclear whether its plans for a second venue in the city will move forward.

In September last year, we reported that Arc Inspirations had submitted plans to open one of its Manahatta cocktail bars at the former French Connection unit on Victoria Street and a BOX sports bar at 2-3 Thurland Street.

At the time, the company said it expected to open the bars “within the next six months”, creating 200 jobs in the city.

A spokesperson for Arc told us BOX is now likely to open in the Grade II listed premises on Thurland Street formerly occupied by All Saints, but could not confirm whether plans to bring the Manahatta brand to Nottingham will come to fruition.

Arc is yet to secure planning permission for either site.

The company has been locked in “constructive discussions” with Nottingham City Council over the proposals for some time. Arc previously told TheBusinessDesk.com it was “confident” the talks would produce positive results.

The firm’s plans for Victoria Street – which look increasingly unlikely to happen – include a full refurbishment and the creation of a new mezzanine floor. 

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.

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