Business Diary: July 26

In a few weeks time, former Leeds Harvey Nichols bar manager Claudio Antonino will open the doors on his latest business venture.

For months, work has been underway to transform a former hair salon on Call Lane into a cocktail lounge called The Maven.

Mr Antonino said: “Of course this will be no ordinary bar but a cocktail academy which will aim to inspire visitors, staff and the mixologists of the future.

“At The Maven I want to educate people about what they are drinking. Some of our recipes are more than 400 years old.

“No one needs to remind me that these are challenging times. The banks declined to lend me a single penny so I have put my entire life savings into this project. I have every confidence that it will be a success as long as everyone behind the bar puts their heart and soul into giving our customers a completely unique experience.”

Lyndon Campbell of law firm Simpson Millar negotiated the lease on behalf of Claudio. He said: “Anyone who owns a business knows that it takes a good concept and a solid business plan to turn even the best idea into a success.

“Keeping your overheads as low as possible is essential when starting up and we managed to negotiate a really favourable lease for the premises. Although the leisure industry has had a difficult time, Call Lane remains as buoyant as ever and Claudio has the focus, expertise and enthusiasm to really draw in the crowds.”

Before putting down roots in Leeds, Mr Antonino, who is originally from Portugal, gained “experience and inspiration” from the cocktail capitals of the world including New York and Paris.

His passion for cocktails dates from the time when he worked in the family bar in the Algarve, in Portugal collecting empty glasses at the age of 14. He went on to study hospitality management and mixology at the American Cocktail Academy and has since won an a number of mixology competitions, representing the UK on the international cocktail stage on three separate occasions.

You don’t have to network in a cocktail lounge, of-course.

Netwalk opportunity

A group of Yorkshire business people believe that the best form of networking takes place in the hills.

Diary has been contacted by Karl Lavery from financial planners Baxter Fensham, who is based in Leeds.

Along with Nigel Shaw of accountants Garbutt & Elliott and Andrew Meehan of Harrogate Family Law, Mr Lavery has devised a day of “netwalking”.

He told Diary: “The purpose of the walk is to let professionals and their clients network in a small select group, while getting some exercise and enjoying a lovely day out, appreciating the beauty that is on our doorstep.”

The first netwalk is due to start at around 9am on Friday August 5 near Hebden in the Yorkshire Dales. If you’d like to find out more contact Mr Lavery by emailing [email protected].

Racing for fun

LAWYER Serena Brotherton has found a good way of mixing business and pleasure.

She’s the head of the Equine Law Group at York-based Langleys, and is also a rising star in the horse racing world.

She has been national lady amateur champion on the flat four times, and on Saturday she was riding the Queen’s horse Discovery Bay in the Longines Handicap Stakes at Royal Ascot. Despite not being placed in the race, she still met Prince Harry and the Queen’s racing manager John Warren. She certainly has plenty of opportunity to name-drop when she gets back to the office.

Survival strategy

MOST of us can spot the characteristics of a “horrible boss”. But how do you ensure they don’t wreck your career?

Well, Diary has received a message sent on behalf of Gareth Chick, the director of UK business consultancy, Spring Partnerships, who hopes to provide some answers. He outlines the traits of horrible bosses.

You won’t be surprised to hear that they belittle people, can be prone to vacillation and actively promote a “them and us” culture.

Mr Chick’s strategies for coping with a horrible boss include “outliving” them.

In short, this means surviving and enduring until something changes.

He said: “The strategy of outliving the boss is more proactive and is designed to contribute to bringing about the boss’s demise.

“This is more likely to be a conspiratorial strategy with similarly beleaguered colleagues.