Young's lines up two new pub openings after "challenging" year

Pub group Young's is to open two new sites this spring following the government's roadmap announcement.

The Alban's Well pub in St Albans and Enderby House in London's Greenwich will launch their outdoor terraces on 12 April, subject to lockdown restrictions lifting.

Chief executive Patrick Dardis said he was "pleased" to announced the additions to Young's 200-strong portfolio following "the most challenging of years" for the industry. The company reported a £21.8m pre-tax loss for the first six months of 2020, with its sites in central London and the City hit ‘exceptionally hard'.

The Alban's Well is opening in the 6,000 sq ft former BHS building on St Peter's Street in St Albans, which will be transformed into a 168-cover pub and dining room with 62-cover terrace. It will also include a self-service wine experience called the ‘Wine Wall', offering varieties by the glass.

Young's purchased the Grade II-listed Enderby House in 2018 and has developed it into a three-storey pub with two dining rooms, private areas, a bar and two outdoor terraces.

"With the reopening of hospitality finally on the horizon, we are looking forward to welcoming guests back into our pubs and establishing both Alban's Well and Enderby House at the heart of their respective local neighbourhoods," said Dardis.

Young's said 143 of its pubs are due to open pub gardens from 12 April, with all 200 sites set to reopen on 17 May.