Revolution Bars to start selling cocktails again from July

Revolution Bars will start selling cocktails again from next month, the firm’s chief executive said on Friday as he outlined a phased reopening plan.

The firm had to close its 74 branches in March when the Covid-19 lockdown started.

Rob Pitcher, the boss of Revolution Bars, today told the Evening Standard he expects to reopen six sites on July 4, the date many leisure and hospitality companies are working towards in line with government guidelines.

He said: “We want to test how consumer demand is, and see how staff feel about new social distancing measures we are implementing.”

From mid July Pitcher hopes to reopen up to nine more sites per week, and have all of the estate open in September.

Pitcher said: “Our plans to promote social distancing include encouraging people to order and pay using apps, and having screens at the till points for people that want to order at the bar.”

There will also be a thorough cleaning procedure in place.

Pitcher was speaking after his firm said it would tap shareholders for £15 million via a share placing to give it more financial headroom as it prepares to reopen in summer.

It said the fundraise would help it reduce its debts, and put it in a better position to buy new sites if they are at more depressed prices, given the market uncertainty. The money will also go towards revamping existing bars.