The Stockwell spot is set to launch this summer with an Indian-inspired menu, locally-made drinks and massive beer garden
Priyesh is one of four landlords at the soon-to-be Elephant & Barrel(Image: Star Pubs)
An axed Apprentice candidate is going against Lord Alan Sugar’s advice to ‘stick to his day job’ by opening a pub in South London. Priyesh Bathia was among the latest victims of the dreaded ‘You’re fired!’ finger after Lord Sugar, Karren Brady and Tim Campbell were unimpressed by his mobile cocktail business after making it the infamous interview stage.
However, the ex-PwC account manager has now revealed he is launching an Anglo-Indian pub in Stockwell with three business partners. The former Royal Oak, owned by Heineken offshoot Star Pubs, will reopen as The Elephant & Barrel in early June following a £495,000 makeover.
The Clapham Road spot is set to “blend the culture of a British pub with the richness of Indian food” and have a menu celebrating both cuisines. Pubgoers will be able to enjoy quizzes, live music and televised matches alongside a range of local beers and craft ales, as well as cocktails.
Artist’s impression of the reimagined Royal Oak(Image: Star Pubs)
Outside, there will be a food truck with a rotating list of dishes, including pizzas, jerk chicken, chicken tikka and seasonal specials. There will also be space for almost 200 people on various tables and benches.
The front entrance will boast a giant robotic elephant handmade in Kerala that will be decorated for different occasions. The impressive animal will don an England flag and jersey during the World Cup.
Priyesh said: “The Elephant & Barrel will be family and dog-friendly, somewhere for the whole community to come together. Each Elephant & Barrel pub is a real local, with the added appeal of Indian dishes and a signature animatronic life-sized elephant, which children and adults love.
“We have big plans for the brand long term, but are taking expansion steadily, ensuring each pub is well established before taking on another site. We are also considering developing a franchise option.”
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The Elephant & Barrel concept was founded by Kumar Pillai and Yogesh Datta, with Priyesh Bathia and Karan Datta joining more recently. There are two other branches in Fulham and Felixstowe.
Star Pubs’ regional operations director Dugald Macer added: “We’re delighted that Priyesh, Kumar, Yogesh, and Karan are taking on what was The Royal Oak. Their Elephant & Barrel sites in Fulham and Felixstowe have been a great success, and I am confident it will be the same in Stockwell.
“The menu will provide the best of British and Indian dishes, and there will be a wide selection of premium drinks, including Brixton Brewery favourites. I look forward to being one of the first to take a selfie next to the elephant when The Elephant & Barrel reopens, and to helping the group further with their expansion ambitions.”
The Apprentice returns for its series finale on BBC One next Thursday (April 16) at 9pm.
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