PB Devco (full name PB Development Company)[1] is a firm which operates bars and restaurants in Aberdeen, UK.
| PB Devco | |
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Stuart Clarkson |
| Headquarters | , |
| Website | pbdevco |
History
editThe company was founded by Stuart Clarkson in 1986.[2][1]
In May 2017, the company donated £20,000 to the Conservative Party.[3]
In January 2018, Paul Clarkson, a director at the firm, suggested that some beggars in Aberdeen were begging as a "lifestyle choice" and that they should "consider whether they could be contributing to society more positively". He went on to state that some positions such as glass collecting are unskilled, and beggars should approach his businesses for a job.[4]
The firm closed all its venues after 16 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
Venues
editThe company owns the following venues:
- College Bar[5]
- The Bieldside, acquired from Signature Pub Group in 2011[6]
- The Howff, a pub. In August 2021, it was announced that the adjacent The Draft Project would be combined with The Howff and both would be counted as a single venue.[7]
- The Queen Vic, a bar on Rosemount Street[8]
- So...[5]
- Soul, a bar and nightclub[9]
- Vovem, a restaurant, with an exclusive "speakeasy", 21 Crimes, in its basement. Opened in 2018 in a building previously occupied by a Filling Station restaurant.[10]
Controversy
editIn August 2020, the firm opened "The Draft Project" in a disused area of land previously occupied by Bruce Millers music shop. Described as a "pop-up bar", it was expected to operate for around two months.[9] It was later discovered that Aberdeen City Council had fast-tracked the license for the venue, before denying that any licenses were processed in such a way. There were also claims that the venue did not meet COVID-19 regulations at the time and that it should be classed as indoors. PB Devco disputed this, stating that the tent housing the venue had more open space than it did walls and thus it was classed as outside.[11]
The firm was criticized in November 2020 after videos were shared online of football fans hugging, singing, and standing on tables while watching the Scotland national football team at the Draft Project venue. Company owner Stuart Clarkson subsequently apologised.[12][2] The venue was subsequently ordered by the council to remove all of its televisions for 21 days.[13] On 20 November, councillors voted to take no further action.[3]
In 2021, director Paul Clarkson was found to be in possession of over £1,600 of cocaine while at work, which he was selling to fund his own addiction.[14]
References
edit- ^ a b "P B DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED". Companies House. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ a b "PB Devco owner apologises for Scotland celebrations". Original 106. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ a b O'Toole, Emer (20 November 2020). "Aberdeen councillors vote to take no action on Tory donor's rule-breaking bar". The National. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ Haslam, Dale (9 January 2018). "Aberdeen businessman: 'Come and work for me rather than begging as a living'". Evening Express. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Gossip, Alastair (16 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Hospitality firm PB Devco to indefinitely close its eight Aberdeen bars and restaurants from tomorrow". Press and Journal. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Knox, Natasha (6 November 2011). "Woods sell Bieldside to PB Devco". Scottish Licensed Trade News. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Gossip, Alastair (18 August 2021). "Aberdeen beer tent Draft Project to be made permanent as part of neighbouring pub The Howff". Evening Express. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Cryle, Ryan (16 March 2017). "Pub boss says 1am Aberdeen bar closure would cut noise nuisance". Evening Express. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ a b Easton, Kaitlin (26 July 2020). "Soul Bar owners unveil plan to create pop-up venture in former home of Bruce Millers". Evening Express. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Haslam, Dale (4 July 2018). "Speakeasy - complete with secret door - to bring spirit of Jazz Age to Aberdeen". Evening Express. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Gossip, Alastair (18 October 2020). "Aberdeen pub boss produces measurements to prove beer tent meets coronavirus rules". Evening Express. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Aberdeen bar scenes condemned: 'The virus doesn't take a minute off, much less 90 minutes'". Original 106. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Wyllie, James (13 November 2020). "Scotland fans: Aberdeen bar The Draft Project ordered to remove televisions". Evening Express. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ McKay, Danny (1 November 2021). "Exclusive: Aberdeen pub boss Paul Clarkson used WhatsApp to sell cocaine while at work". Evening Express. Retrieved 2 November 2021.