Inside Crown & Sceptre with the Nightlife Revolution
The Crown & Sceptre pub in Kensington London has opened and is ready to remind the general public why the British pub is an essential facet of the nightlife scene. Simon Kevan discusses with NDML everything from unique décor to minimal government financial support to the challenges of opening a multi-dimensional venue.
Simon and Sonia, co-owners of the Crown & Sceptre, are looking at how they can diversify their business model in order to increase profitability and popularity within the competitive London pub-scene. Frequent celebrity DJ nights and coffee mornings ensure the pub is lively at all times. Simon also discusses the new kitchen menu as well as the hotel guest rooms upstairs.
The Crown & Sceptre is still very much a traditional British pub, one that was closed due to a flood. Simon and Sonia are set on restoring the pub back to its glory, with the help from Castle Pubs. And NDML have been there every step of the way, assisting with compliance, safety management and emerging risks.
#WeAreNightlife is a NDML’s award-winning campaign which celebrates nightclubs, as well as the night-time leisure and hospitality industry. See more from #WeAreNightlife and listen to the words of our clients and sector leaders here.
The Nightlife Revolution also assisted in the publishing and scripting of this video. The Nightlife Revolution focusses on the deprivation of the sector, looking at how nightlife business can come together to call for change and support.
What does being a good publican mean to you?
Simon says: “Building a place to get to know and meet people. To bring people together. Good publicans need to adapt to changes and the cost of living crisis. Good publicans have honest prices, make the venue inclusive, and ensure everyone has a good time.”
How vital is the pub to the full nightlife sector?
Simon says: “I used to love going clubbing when I was 19, but I also went to the pubs. In a pub you are able to have a decent conversation, which came into our thinking when we installed our music system. Clear and crisp. What I would say is: Don’t snub the Pub!”
What are the main advantages of working with NDML?
Simon says: “The flexibility, because of the changing nature of the building. We had to do a lot of compliance with our partners. Miki (Michael Dawson) and the team were incredible at going through the details with us to ensure we were a safe environment.”
“I would absolutely recommend NDML, they’ve been fantastic. A swift turnaround and great attention to detail.”
How important is location and innovation to building a profitable hospitality business?
Simon says: “You’ve got to adapt to the different customer needs. In Kensington we’ve got many different people living here. Pubs needs to bring people together, and collaborate with other publicans in the area. Cross-functional collaboration, the relationships we build outwards, is what makes pubs brilliant.”
How is the nightlife sector and pub culture changing?
Simon says: “Its going through a bit of a change, but people are enjoying just as I did thirty years ago. We do see a younger crowd feel a need for the no-alcoholic range, or for coffee mornings, and none-drink-focussed events.”
How challenging has it been trying to run a sustainable pub?
Simon says: “It makes absolutely no sense that we pay 20% VAT on drinks whereas the supermarkets are only at 2%. The government definitely needs to act and help these communities. The only positive thing I’ve seen is a removal of some of the red tape to allow more outside drinking space, I’ve also heard they’ve changed laws for sound and noise complaints. Everybody needs to keep working together – continuous collaboration. Big thanks to Michael Kill, raising these issues and championing the way going forwards.”
Have you received any financial support in opening the Crown & Sceptre?
Simon says: “Government support? What Government support?! The only support is the support in yourself and top have a strong mindset. They need to reduce the VAT, reduce taxes and allow people to have fun.”
NDML would like to thank Simon and Sonia for their time. It was an absolute pleasure, and we hope to organise more content with Crown & Sceptre very soon.
Watch more videos from #WeAreNightlife
What is WeAreNightlife?
NDML has made it their mission to protect, safeguard and provide guidance to businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector. With inside information, case studies and up-to-date information on policy changes, NDML is a broker who cares about a business’s welfare and will celebrate their growth.
Our #WeAreNightlife campaign aims to provide a sound board for industry leaders to share their own unique experiences of British nightlife. NDML’s goal, alongside the NTIA, is to nit the UK nightlife scene back together after the turbulent COVID years and deliver steps to get the industry back up to full throttle.
NDML is the UK’s number one broker in the nightlife sector. We offer exclusive tailor-made policies and have decades of expertise. Our award-winning service is built upon genuine relationships, and that’s why projects, such as #WeAreNightlife, are so important to us.
What is The Nightlife Revolution?
The Nightlife Revolution is a project which aims to bring together venue owners and hospitality staff. The project is ran by members of NDML and will give a platform for industry leaders to shed light on the challenges affecting businesses, and the key statistics that need to be known.
We wish to build a wall of supporters and a collective forum to say “Enough is Enough – Nightlife is done with being Forgotten.” Corporation have joined the Nightlife Revolution, sign up and make sure your business joins the revolution.