A NEW cocktail bar could open in Southampton as part of a seven-figure investment, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Revoluciòn de Cuba is planning to spend more than £1m on a three-floor bar on Above Bar Street in Southampton.

It would be located in the former Lloyds Bank and Millets store at the junction with Civic Centre Road.

The brand, which is owned by Revolution Bars Group, focuses on selling premium Cuban rums and ‘creative, handmade cocktails’, with food influences from across Latin America and weekly live music.

Currently, the Latin-themed bar chain has 13 premises across the UK including Derby, Manchester, Norwich, Glasgow, and Sheffield which, when opened, have typically created between 50 and 100 jobs.

Under the company’s plans for Southampton, the 9,074sqft bar would open between 11am and 1.30am seven days a week.

In a statement Firstplan, the planning consultants which is developing the site on behalf of Revoluciòn de Cuba, said the plans would “contribute to the vibrancy of the area”.

It added: “The applicant would invest a significant sum in refurbishing the building, upgrading and enhancing both the shopfront and the internal environment.

“A large number of new full and part-time jobs will also be created.”
Mark McQuater, chief executive of the Revolution Bars Group, said: “Our stated strategy is to open five new bars each year.

“We have more than doubled the number of Revolución de Cubas in little over 18 months, a testament to the strength of the concept and brand.”

Councillor Satvir Kaur, culture and leisure portfolio holder for Culture on Southampton City Council said: “No-one likes to see empty properties on our High Street, so it’s encouraging that businesses are interested in revitalising empty spaces and offering local jobs.”

Subject to the granting of the licensing application submitted in September, builders are expected to start work in the next few months.