On securing the future of our building…
As you may or may not know our landlord, Nottingham City Council announced in 2022 their plans to sell our building at auction. For one reason or another (after much intervention) they agreed not to do this, but announced that it was their intention to sell at some point.
The Music Venues Trust (MVT) added us to a group of Grassroots Music Venues under threat due to insecure tenancies. Their sister organisation, and registered charity, Music Venues Properties (MVP) successfully completed a crowdfunding project designed to purchase 9 properties across the country, and we thank wholeheartedly all those of you who have contributed.
This has all taken a very long time. Our latest news is that we are moving forwards a little more. The City Council have agreed to negotiate with us on the sale of the building, and an independent valuation survey was conducted recently.
If and when a secure tenancy is in place with MVP, we hope to make some much needed repairs to our cellar and further down the line we also hope to open up our cellar bar, and look forward to using the space for additional events. Of course, we will be shouting from the rooftops if this all completes as we hope, but signs are promising!
Reshuffle of the team
Megan, our General Manager is leaving us in March. She has long had a desire to see more of the world so has booked an interrail ticket to do just that. Megan has been with us as General Manager since April ’24, but first joined us in 2021. We will miss our Yorkshire lass, and of course we thank her for all her hard work, and we’re sure you’ll join us in wishing her all the best for her new adventure!
Julia, who has been with us as Megan’s assistant, is stepping up to the role of General Manager and we are very happy that she has taken on this post. We’re sure you’ll agree, she is a great asset to the team.
We also warmly welcome Beth to our team, who will be joining us as Assistant General Manager.
Summer Menu Tasting Event
Here’s our latest thinking of what we’ll include for the upcoming menu taster…
- Labneh Yoghurt balls
rolled in all manner of heavenly aromatic herbs and spices - Mediterranean Fish Stew
Firm white fish, fresh tomato sauce and black olives - Chicken Shawarma and Lamb Kofta
These are both coming back with a new recipe and a nod to the famed street food accompaniments brought in house with an elevated twist - Zalouk
Moroccan aubergine dip - Cafe Gourmand
Selection of 3 taster-sized dessert offerings served with an espresso - Ice cream flavour examples including Rose, Orange flower and Cardamom and Peggy’s Malt
Here are some of our favourites, and new ideas for desserts
- The Blondie
Like the brownie but with white chocolate - Persian Love Cake with almond and rose
- Basboussa
Egyptian kiss made with semolina/ground almonds and honey - Tabrizi
Light cheesecake from Tabriz serve with poached pears - Eastern Mess
Much like the famed pudding of Eton, with meringue, fresh cream and sharp berries but with our own Middle Eastern twist
