Market Town Taverns opens at former Waterhole bar
YORKSHIRE pub operator Market Town Taverns, which operates 12 niche ale and wine bars in the region, has opened a new venue as part of a planned period of expansion.
Veritas Ale & Wine Bar, in Great George Street in Leeds, is one of three new establishments planned for the group over the next few months.
Market Town Taverns is also opening a tavern in Meanwood, Leeds, on the site of recently demolished pub The Becketts Arms, and has also purchased the Three Horseshoes in Otley from Enterprise Inns.
Veritas Ale & Wine Bar has evolved from the shell of the former Waterhole Wine Bar which closed more than two years ago.
The premises have been extensively refurbished and will offer a range of cask ales, world beers, wines and food. For the first time, Veritas will offer champagne and sparkling wines by the glass and there will also be a deli counter.
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Managing director Ian Fozard said: “We are delighted to be opening in such a quality city centre location. We have become a successful company by operating in smaller town centres and quality suburbs so it’s a bit of a gamble for us.
“However, we are opening Veritas with a very experienced team headed by Stella Mallinson who has run our Ilkley tavern, Bar t’at for the last few years.”
On present trading, Mr Fozard said: “We are having a successful year with profits likely to be well up on last year and we are feeling confident about the future for our niche offer in our core trading area of north and West Yorkshire.
“We are always looking to expand but will always be very selective. This opportunity came along and felt right for our business so we decided to proceed.”
To coincide with the up and coming launches, the company has also announced the launch of its corporate Twitter site – @MarketTownTavs.
Market Town Taverns was founded by Mr Fozard in 1999 and became the first UK pub company to become fully non smoking across its whole estate, which it achieved two years ahead of the national smoking ban.
The Knaresborough-based group, which employs around 160 people, has annual turnover in excess of £5m which is expected to grow to around £7m over the next 12 months.
