HARRY’S, the Edinburgh bar that has been a fixture of the city's scene since the 1980s, reopens tonight after a six-figure investment, forming what is claimed to be the capital’s first social enterprise pub chain.
The bar is being opened by Chris Thewlis, who last year opened another social enterprise pub, the Southside Social.
Mr Thewlis, director of beer for operator Good CIC, promised a portion profits will be invested in helping young people from difficult or disadvantaged backgrounds.
He commented: “I’m certain that Harry’s will prosper, as it once did, and that it’ll again be a popular and much-loved meeting place, a place where people can enjoy themselves. And we aim to make it profitable. The more money it makes, the more people it can help and the better it will be.”
He also said the bar would seek to employ and train young people from hard-to-reach backgrounds, such as those who struggled at school, are unemployed, or who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
While Harry’s was a popular destination for Edinburgh drinkers for decades, numbers declined in recent years after its well-trodden dance floor was ditched in favour of a strong food offering.
Harry’s reopens complete with its dancefloor back in place for anyone wishing to cut some shapes after a craft beer from the likes of Drygate and Stewart Brewing.
“When you talk about Harry’s most people will mention the dance floor,” said Mr Thewlis.
“It’s something that’s really chimed with people over the years. When we bought it over we were very keen to bring it back.
“But we also want to move things forward, and there’s a big focus on craft beer and spirits.”
In addition to sourcing products from other social enterprises, and running meet the maker nights with brewers and distillers, Mr Thewlis also said he was also hopeful of sealing an exclusive deal with Chinese craft brewery Panda Brew.
At opening, Harry’s among the range of beer will be two collaboration beers that the team from Panda made with the Drygate and Stewart teams while on a recent trip from Beijing.
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