The Scandinavian bar and club operator and owner of PRYZM, Heidi's Bier Bar and The Proud Mary Pub has acquired its fifth venue in Cardiff. REKOM has acquired Story nightclub from Excalibur on Greyfriars Road in Cardiff for an undisclosed sum.
The deal will see the 1,400 capacity venue reopen this month as District, creating 30 jobs. It will offer alternative event-led music entertainment and neighbour REKOM's well-known Cardiff superclub, PRYZM.
Earlier this year, the company opened Heidi's Bier Bar on Mill Lane in Cardiff and is now preparing to open the UK's first Proud Mary Pub on St Mary's Street in the city, creating up to 50 new jobs.
Read more: New Scandinavian pub will create 50 new jobs in Cardiff city centre
The pub is set to open at the end of October and work is now underway to refurbish the venue at the former popular Brains pub Yard Bar & Kitchen following a £1.2m investment. A second Proud Mary venue is planned to open at the former Idols club on Wind Street in early next year.
REKOM operates over 200 bars, pubs and clubs internationally and 48 in the UK, including PRYZM, Heidi's Bier Bar and Steinbeck & Shaw in Cardiff, ATIK in Wrexham and Fiction in Swansea.
Executive director Russell Quelch said: "Cardiff is a vibrant city with a thriving late night economy and is a key part of REKOM’s expansion strategy across the UK. District means we can build on our cluster of businesses in the Welsh capital, which now range from our après ski themed Heidi’s Bier Bar to two nightclubs, party bar Steinbeck & Shaw and modern pub, Proud Mary, offering something for everyone.
He added: "We believe Cardiff can accommodate two clubs of PRYZM and District’s size, giving us the scope to put on a wider range of events and cater for more of the late night market in the city."
The company said District's staff will also be trained in the company's guest care and safety policy called We Care. This includes a safety net system to look after nightclub goers with qualified first aiders, a separate medical room, taxi escort service and free phone charging stations.
Mr Quelch said: “At REKOM we have a guest first philosophy, where safety and creating memorable, fun nights out are our top priorities. District will be opening in time for Freshers, where leaving home and going out clubbing will be a new experience. This is something we are very aware of as a business and our strength comes from the care we offer our guests.”
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