WIRRAL: Ring O'Bells pub reopens after £190,000 investment

Bathgate Business Finance has supported local pub group Stange & Co's expansion of the Ring O'Bells in West Kirby. 

The pub, located on Village Road in the town, is the group’s ninth venue and aims to be a "proper pub that everyone wishes they had on their doorstep", promising "top-notch beer, quality wines, freshly made tasty food and friendly faces on both sides of the bar".

The group originally bought the venue in January 2020.

Work with architects and planning teams continued during lockdown, before refurbishment work and addition of a stunning garden room extension was able to take place.

Gordon Andrews, managing director of Bathgate Business Finance, Dan McLennan, managing director at Stange & Co and Esther Rigby from Bathgate Business in the bar at refurbished and extended Ring O'Bells pub in West Kirby (Image: Andrew AB Photography)

As a large venue, employing around 50 members of staff from the local area, the kitchen fit-out was a sizable task, requiring significant investment and a more flexible and timely finance solution that traditional lenders were able to provide.

Dan McLennan, managing director at Stange & Co, said: "To fit out a kitchen in a large venue like the Ring O' Bells we needed funding that was quicker turnaround, and more flexible.

"We didn’t want to sit on lots of money.

"We have worked with Gordon and Esther from Bathgate since 2016 now, and they have a deep understanding of our pubs and our business, so we didn’t hesitate to turn to them to help us find a solution for the Ring O' Bells.

Left to right: Esther Rigby from Bathgate Business Finance, Dan McLennan, managing director at Stange & Co and Gordon Andrews, managing director of Bathgate Business Finance in the kitchen at refurbished and extended Ring O'Bells pub in West Kirby (Image: Andrew AB Photography)

"As well as the personal relationship, we also know that Bathgate can find those more flexible solutions, which was exactly what we were looking for."

The deal took just less than two weeks to secure and pay out, and the Ring O' Bells was able to open with its fully fitted-out kitchen, within six weeks of the deal.

Esther Rigby, BDM from Bathgate Business Finance, said: "Having worked with Dan and the team at Stange & Co for more than eight years now, we really do have an understanding and passion for their business, so it was a pleasure to be able to help them secure finance for their latest venture.

"The fact that the Ring O' Bells is just around the corner from our own offices, and already having a great positive impact on our local community, is an added bonus.

"It is fantastic to see the pub thriving and a great honour to be able to visit and raise a glass to Dan and all his team. We’re looking forward to continuing to watch the group expand further, and offer our support wherever we can."

Dan added: "We are always looking out for new pubs, in the right communities where we know we can make them a success.

"When we do find the next one, I am sure I’ll be back to Bathgate to help us again."

In September 2023, Bathgate was named winner in two categories at the NACFB Commercial Broker Awards 2023 - the SME Champion and Service Excellence award - and in October 2023 won Professional Services Business of the Year at the Merseyside Independent Business Awards (MIBS).