Get Set Go
It’s a red letter day for Northcote Road, southwest London’s most thriving neighbourhood. Urban Pubs and Bars have opened their latest venue, The Red Setter, on this dynamic stretch. Andre Johnstone, Sales and Marketing Director, explains, “We have 42 pubs and bars and several restaurants across London. We call ourselves the biggest independent pub company in London because: one, we’re not tied to a big brewery and, two, we think entrepreneurially. We empower every manager to run the business like its their own.”
Media is swamped with stories of pubs and restaurants closing but Andre shares, “We love London and we think we have a magic formula. We’ve been lucky to find really good places, bring fine design to the local area, and install managers and staff who really care.” A striking façade has been created using high quality materials of brass, polished timber and red wall tiles. “The exterior of a pub is the shopfront, a selling point, and if you can make it beautiful it definitely sets the tone.”
Andre believes, “There are some good pubs around the Northcote Road area but I think what’s missing and what we’ve tried to do here is create more than just a traditional drinking pub. We’re serving lovely brunches, Sunday roasts, interesting cocktails, a wide beer range and providing a great dog friendly place to come and meet your friends.” The group has ongoing expansion plans for 10 to 15 sites across London for the next two to three years.
Local businesspeople are invited to the launch evening of The Red Setter as well as press. And three red setters turn up. Canapés include sun blushed tomato, goat’s cheese vol-au-vent and native lobster roll, avocado cream, iceberg lettuce. Small plates range from babaganoush on Lebanese flatbread to chilli salt and pepper squid. Love Bite pisco, Aperol, chilli syrup, bitters and Kiss the Boys Goodbye Hennessy, sloe gin, sugar, bitters are two of the six Signature Cocktails. The Sunday roasts board announces a vegetarian option of Wiltshire beetroot, pinenut and spinach wellington. There’s something for everyone at The Red Setter.
