Leeds bar operator Stuart’s Wine is the new owner of Lounge 68 Bar & Restaurant in the centre of the West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield.
Stuart’s Wine – which also runs Bar 166 and Bar 62 in Horforth, Leeds – plans to trade its new premises as the Vodka Bar & Kitchen, a smart but casual meeting place that provides food and drink against a backdrop of funk and soul music.
Lounge 68 has a prime position in the town’s main dining, shopping and business district and occupies a the ground floor and basement of a sandstone terraced period property in John William Street, on the edge of St George’s Square. It is expected to benefit from a major regeneration around the railway station that will include a large casino.
At street level, the property had a 22-seat bar and 34-seat restaurant, with a second dining room downstairs able to seat a further 50 customers. The business also has a pavement license to put out three tables nine more diners.
The Leeds office of Christie + Co was seeking offers in the region of £125,000 for the free-of-tie lease, which runs to December 2030, on behalf of Ayton Leisure. Current rent is £55,000 a year.
By Angela Frewin