Popular Newcastle city centre bar and music venue Hoochie Coochie has been sold to new owners, who have told how they want to invest in the "cultural institution", including bringing back a food offer.
The Pilgrim Street venue known for hosting jazz, funk and soul nights went on the market earlier this year after owner Warren Thomson - who runs The Hooch on the Quayside - said it was time to slow down. Now a team involving Tyneside tech entrepreneur Mike O'Brien and led by North East businessman Michael Lavery has taken over the free-of-tie lease at the bar which is licensed to open 2am Friday-Saturday, and 1am Monday-Thursday.
Mr Lavery, who is also a musician and promoter on the North East circuit, said the owners want to take Hoochie Coochie "to the next level" while punters can expect the same music and atmosphere. He said: “As live music fans and ambitious North East based investors who have built successful global businesses in other sectors, we are very excited to take on this landmark premises and to secure its future as a high quality and inclusive live music venue. We want to build on the legacy of Warren and his team and invest in the venue as an important cultural institution for the city.
READ MORE: {}
"While people can expect to see many of the same faces and the same great music and welcoming atmosphere, we have plans to work closely with our partners and customers to take the venue to the next level, in line with the exciting transformation of the Pilgrim Quarter over the coming months and years."
Newcastle fire safety and electrical compliance business ABCA Systems bought three firms in the North West to accelerate its growth.
ABCA Systems, which secured private equity backing from Trimountain Partners in 2021, has acquired Maintec Ltd, AGS Tech Ltd and HBS Fabrication Northwest Ltd in deals that will add more than £10m to its turnover of around £40m. CEO Phil Miller, who took over the family business from his father in 2005, said the deals for Southport’s Maintec and Blackburn-based AGS Tech would enhance ABCA’s expertise, capabilities, reach and customer base in fire and security compliance, as well as providing opportunities to accelerate the company’s growth.
HBS Fabrication Northwest, which is based in Wigan, is a manufacturer and installer of steel security doors, adding new services for ABCA customers.
Mr Miller said: “We are delighted to welcome these three leading companies into the group. They will help us provide an even higher level of service and satisfaction to our clients, especially those in the social housing sector.
Most Read
“I’m particularly excited as two of the key players who will be joining us, Chris King and Colin Prescott were previously part of the ABCA Systems Group many years ago before successfully growing AGS organically into the business it has become today, whilst in parallel acquiring and expanding HBS. Also joining us and strengthening the leadership team is Steve Cranshaw of Maintec, who brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help us to grow even more.
“Our motto, ‘Right People, Right Place, Right Time,’ truly embodies this moment. I’m confident the combined expertise and dedication of our new colleagues and their teams will drive us towards a brighter future.”
Outdoor clothing firm Barbour launched a new collection following a deal with the William Morris gallery. The South Shields firm launched a range of women’s clothing within its Re-Engineered collection, as well as teaming up with the William Morris gallery to produce pieces inspired by the influential Arts & Crafts designer.
Barbour has also opened a new store in Neal Street in London, which it says “takes inspiration from the brand’s first market stall founded in 1894 in South Shields” and the “green tin lights found in the brand’s North Eastern England factory”.
The moves have come after fashion magazines Cosmopolitan and Who What Wear highlighted the popularity of Barbour jackets with young people after they were worn by pop star Dua Lipa and TV presenter Alexa Chung. Cosmopolitan said the Barbour jacket was the “biggest outwear trend” for this year’s autumn and winter season.
In recent years, Barbour has worked with a number of other organisations - including Ms Chung, ceramics designer Emma Bridgewater and film director Sir Ridley Scott - as it seeks to broaden the appeal of its garments beyond its traditional base in rural communities.
Offshore logistics firm Harlyn Solutions landed a major contract to handle the subsea cables for one of Scotland's most powerful wind farms.
Don’t miss
The Blyth-based business has been commissioned by Ocean Winds - the joint venture between ENGIE and EDP Renewables that developed the mammoth 882 MW installation - to provide collection, storage and emergency preparedness of the wind farm's inter array cables. The work will be delivered over the next few months before the cables and cable accessories will enter storage.
Harlyn specialises in moving unusually large cargo and will use facilities at the Port of Blyth for the contract, which follows two prior projects for Moray West, including the transportation of substations and cleaning of monopiles - the foundations of offshore wind turbines.
Last year, the firm expanded its Blyth’s Energy Central site and moved into larger office space within Blyth Workspace, a four-storey serviced office space in the centre. The addition of an engineer to its team also brought headcount to 10.
Hamish Adamson, managing director of Harlyn, said: "I am thrilled that our unique problem solving approach to projects has been picked up and understood by Ocean Winds. Our teams have worked hand-in-hand across multiple scopes and this long-term project shows the dependability of the team we have at Harlyn as being the partner of choice for these complex challenges.”