THE entrepreneurial duo, part of the team behind the luxury boutique Atholl Hotel in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, have invested £250,000 in reopening the nearby The Melville Bar, the favoured haunt of the Capital’s professional circle which had fallen into receivership last year.
As New Town locals, white knights Malcolm Gray and Jon Eastwood have long been customers of The Melville and had lamented its demise.
So, when the chance arose to acquire the New Town institution, they jumped at the opportunity.
Gray said: “Jon and I have invested a significant sum in transforming The Melville through a comprehensive redesign and refurbishment with the aim of renewing its appeal to the professional, local and female clientele.
“And having noticed that there was nowhere to go to for a good quality traditional Sunday lunch in the New Town, we hope to make The Melville a true destination venue for families and locals alike.”
Eastwood added: “We want The Melville to be the kind of place where we want to frequent ourselves.
“We want to be able to come here, sit at the barstool, have a few pints, share a platter with some friends or bring the family for a Sunday lunch where our customers can be guaranteed decent quality food and drink in fresh, comfortable surroundings.
“As locals, we know the market; we know the area and we know the clientele: that’s why we invested in The Melville.”
The venue’s menu of superior gastro pub food, comprising freshly cooked local produce, has been devised by The Atholl Hotel’s head chef, Michael Mathieson, and features a unique business lunch sharing platter.
Other forthcoming plans include the launch of a Monday evening cocktail club, with a free selection of canapés for customers ordering two or more cocktails, and a Tuesday evening Curry Club.
In addition to an extensive cocktail list and a comprehensive selection of wines and champagnes, beers on tap at The Melville include: Tennents; Peroni; Cobra; Singha and Erdinger. And as Supot, its Scottish/Thai barman, has a trained background in whisky, The Melville stocks a wide range of whiskies and offers a malt of the month promotion.
The Melville Bar, 19 -25 William Street, is a development by Wood and Gray, under a 15 year lease from London Town brewery.
Wood and Gray received financial and business advice from Craig Mathieson, partner at French Duncan Chartered Accountants.
ENDS
For further information please contact Malcolm Gray or Jon Eastwood on tel 0131 225 1358
Issued on behalf of Wood and Gray by Liquorice Media tel 0141 561 4018 www.liquorice-media.com
Date: 20th March 2013.
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