Arc inspired to go for further expansion of its empire with opening of two bars

Arc Inspirations has bought the lease to a former Methodist chapel in York in the hope of converting it into a bar and restaurant and is looking for premises in Leeds city centre to open another business.

Arc was set up 12 years ago by Martin Wolstencroft and his partner Chris Ure who is chairman of Leeds-based property and accountancy firm ATC.

Mr Wolstencroft had worked for Whitbread for 10 years and, at the age of 22, became the youngest manager in the country for the company when he took over The Skyrack in Headingley, becoming the first pub to take over £1m in sales, he said.

He went on to become area manager and then operations manager for new acquisi- tions.

Mr Wolstencroft set up The Arc in Headingley initially with Mr Ure, who owned the land and had licensing and planning permission for the site.

The new business turned over £1.5m in the first year.

With an initial team of 50 the pair went on to open a bar or restaurant per year for the next nine years, and today employ 300 people.

Now, after a period of three years without acquisitions, where they have concentrated on refurbishments, including a £1m upgrade to the Arc and £500,000 spent on the Trio Bar in Headingley, Arc is looking to open two more premises, and boost the economy by creating jobs.

“We are continuously reinvesting in our premises to ensure they remain top quality,” Mr Wolstencroft said.

“It is important to keep innovating and giving customers new experiences.

“At the Arc we have installed tables where customers can serve their own beer at the table.

“You have to capture the imagination of the customer.”