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18th July 2024

Stonegate Group Invests Over £2.6 Million in Transforming Four Slug & Lettuce Venues

Stonegate Group has proudly announced the opening of Slug & Lettuce in Albert Square Manchester, highlighting a significant investment of £2.6 million across four of its popular venues. This substantial investment signals the brand’s commitment to creating the ultimate social destinations for guests.

Joining Deansgate, Birmingham and Solihull, Slug & Lettuce Albert Square is the most recent site to receive investment and reopened on Friday 12th July following a £646,000 renovation. The investment has revitalised the site with a fresh, vibrant colour scheme featuring the brand’s iconic flamingo pink and jungle green. The new design includes luxurious seating booths, dazzling decorations, and stylish terrazzo and marble tabletops. A newly installed photobooth adds a fun element, allowing guests to capture memorable moments with friends and family, whatever the occasion.

Simon Pugsley, the newly appointed General Manager of the site commented: “The renovation of Albert Square has breathed a new lease of life and vibrancy into the venue. Manchester is now home to two ‘new era’ Slug & Lettuce sites, and I am eager to make Albert Square a must-visit destination in Manchester alongside the already highly popular Deansgate venue. The transformation of both sites is incredible, and the Albert Square team and I look forward to welcoming back our valued guests in the coming weeks.”

Slug & Lettuce has long been a favourite destination for guests, and the latest investments reflect the brand’s dedication to maintaining its reputation as the ultimate social hub. These investments signal a new era for Slug & Lettuce, marked by an evolution in the look and feel of venues across the UK. The playful and lively essence of the brand continues to thrive through these renovations. The updated concept is expertly designed to provide guests with a seamless transition from day to night.

Following the successful reopening of Slug & Lettuce in Manchester Deansgate and Birmingham Brindley Place earlier this year, the Solihull venue underwent a transformation at the end of May. The venue proudly reopened its doors with a revitalized garden and terrace area, complete with a stunning outdoor bar and dining facilities. The terrace is adorned with festoon lighting, luxurious sofa seating booths, and a covered pergola, making it an ideal location for summer events, sundown cocktails, and lively nights out.  

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About Stonegate Group

Stonegate Group is the largest pub company in the UK.  Its portfolio is comprised of over 4,500 sites, split across managed, operator led and leased and tenanted businesses.

The managed pubs division, which employs just under 16,000 people, is split into Branded and Traditional pubs. Branded is comprised of: Slug & Lettuce, Popworld, Be At One and the Venues division. Traditional (unbranded) pubs are made up of: Proper Pubs, Pub & Dining and Social Pub & Kitchen.

To date, over 12,000 employees have engaged with the various training programmes Stonegate Group offer, with over 600 Deputy Managers across the estate having been promoted to management roles.

The leased and tenanted estate, Stonegate Pub Partners, is made up of over 3,000 diverse sites whilst operator led Craft Union is currently made up of over 500 community pubs.

The business is multi award-winning for the training and development of its people and business success including:

BII’s National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs): HR Manager of the Year, multiple times; Best Apprenticeship Training Programme (ATOP). Best Managed Company for Training.

REBA Employee Wellbeing Awards – Best New Wellbeing Strategy (5000+ staff);

Publican Awards – Best Pub Employer (501+ employees) multiple times; Best Community Operator (Craft Union Pub Company) multiple times; Best Managed Pub Company multiple times.

Great British Pub Awards – Best LGBTQ+ operator multiple times; Best Sports Pub multiple times; Best Pub Garden, Best Entertainment; Best pub to watch sport;  Community Mindfulness

Licensed Trade Charity Awards   raising awareness through fundraising

UK Hospitality’s Dusk ‘til Dawn Late Night Awards Best Marketing and Promotions Award; Best Service & Team; Best late Night Operator

HR Excellence Awards: Best Learning and Development Strategy

HR Distinction Awards: Innovation for Digital & Social Media; People Development; Innovative Use of Technology

And awards for charity contribution  including  Licensed Trade Charity: Outstanding Corporate Contribution Award; APPBG PUBAID Corporate Charity Fundraiser Award 


Media Contact: Elisabeth Osmand elisabethosmand@leisurepr.co.uk

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