Signature Pubs have bought the former Ballie Ballerson venue in Edinburgh, the group’s first purchase for five years.
Nic Wood told DRAM, “It has been five years since we bought what is now McLaren’s at Morningingside, and although this may not appear to be the best time to be investing in a venue of this size, it was too good an opportunity to turn down.
“I bought the venue from my old boss Billy Lowe, and it was one of a few pubs I worked in for him. I worked as a barman there when it was The Tunnel. In fact when I worked for him he tasked me with ‘sorting the venue out.’”
That’s now exactly what Signature plan to do. First of all the plan is to strip it out. Says Nic, “I have no idea what we are going to do with the 1000s of balls. But I have plenty of ideas regarding what we are going to do with the venue and am already talking to our designer.
“This is the part of running a pub company I really enjoy. Over the last few years I have seen so many good ideas, and I am excited to be embarking on this project. However, realistically I don’t think we will be opening it until early 2026, we won’t be rushing it.”