Pavlov’s Dog refurbishment transforms with technology inspired offer

~ Ten new jobs created ~

One of Reading’s best known pubs is set to become home to a new breed of technology inspired pub, when it re-launches next month. The Pavlov’s Dog, which was originally named after the Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov’s, who discovered classical conditioning through feeding experiments with his dog, is being transformed with a £275,000 investment. It will re-launch on Friday 6th February, introducing a host of new food and drink offers, entertainment and technological facilities.

A wide choice of the latest in craft beers, super-fast broadband connections and interactive digital entertainment are just a handful of the new additions at the Pavlov’s Dog at St Mary’s Butts. Ten additional new front-of-house and kitchen roles will be created on re-opening supporting locals in the area.

As part of its new offer, the Pavlov’s Dog will provide a one-stop shop for its customers from early morning breakfast through to late night entertainment. Opening daily from 8.00am the pub will be offering a coffee shop style grab and go counter serving tea, coffee, snacks and pastries to eat in or take-away. This, alongside free super-fast broadband, complimentary wifi-linked printer for printing off last minute assignments, plugs and USB ports on tables for easy phone and computer charging, loan of phone chargers and a free cash machine means the Pavlov’s Dog will be an ideal environment for flexible working by day.

The food and drink offer is packed with choice, quality and value. From breakfast to a late night snack, The Pavlov’s Dog’s new menu has it all covered. The main menu offers brilliant burgers and meaty dogs, loaded with chilli, plus favourites such as mac and cheese or fish and chips. Whilst for those looking for a morning kick start, an afternoon indulgence or simply snacks, there’s bacon sarnies, and generous sharer trays. Super-hot sauces for the mighty brave sit alongside more traditional ones to accompany any dish.

With five craft beer hand pumps at the bar serving regularly rotating beers, the Pavlov’s Dog will have one of the best selections of craft beers in Reading. Customers will be encouraged to try three at once with third pint taster trays or alternatively share a two or three pint flagon with friends. A craft cider will also be on tap. The cocktail menu accommodates every mood and taste, and like the beers, will be available by the glass or as jugs for sharing.

To reward regular customers, the pub will be launching a new loyalty card scheme, the Pavlov’s Dog Card, where customers can earn points for purchases, or for just being social, posting about the pub on twitter or logging onto its Facebook page, which can then be translated into hard cash to spend in the pub.

The layout of the pub will be geared for eating, drinking, playing, relaxing and working with flexible furniture that can be moved around to accommodate big group seating.

A dedicated sports area with a pool table, retro game N64 and a multitude of board games will be available for customers to enjoy. Dotted throughout the pub are ten TV screens and a giant drop down screen showing Sky Sports and BT Sport in HD, perfect for watching matches, whilst outside, the pub’s garden, will be transformed with astroturf grass, outdoor sofas, a TV screen and heated canopies.

Flexible cinema font lettering gives the team, and its customers, the choice of changing messaging around the pub. Pin boards dotted around the pub and a large blackboard displays the pub’s favourite tweet of the day or invites customers to vote in the poll of the day. The pub will even be inviting customers to write feedback and messages on a post-it note wall too.

The Pavlov’s Dog promises to be ahead of the curve too when it comes to digital interaction and has an impressive new feature, ‘Secret DJ’, an interactive jukebox system that allows the customer to digitally select a track from their phone or instantly download a song they’ve just heard.

Speaking of the changes general manager Natalie Cooke said, “Customers want something different from a pub these days and the new Pavlov’s Dog certainly delivers. Trends in pub going have altered significantly over the last few years and so we have diversified our business to reflect that; creating a pub that offers a total package from great food and drinks choices to the facilities and entertainment that appeals to any young person today.”

“Our ethos is to be generous in everything we do. We know our customers won’t settle for anything short of great quality and why should they?”, added Natalie. “The investment is a big opportunity to create something new and fresh in the marketplace that will appeal to a wider audience and I’m looking forward to showcasing it to our existing and new customers.”

Doors will open on Friday 6th February at midday. During the evening Natalie and her team will be celebrating the re-launch from 5pm with complimentary craft beers and menu tasters as well as entertainment from a table magician.. The pub will open daily from 8.00am, closing at midnight Sunday to Thursday and at 2am on Friday and Saturday.

The pub will once again be hosting Oxjam charity music festival on Saturday 18th April, with tickets available from the bar.

The Pavlov’s Dog, 21-23 St Mary’s Butt, Reading, RG1 2LN

Ends

3 February 2015

PRESS INVITE: If you would like to review The Pavlov’s Dog please email beckyhaywood@leisurepr.co.uk

Editors Notes:

Stonegate Pub Company is the largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK, with revenues in excess of half a billion pounds, employing over 12,000 people. The company has 614 pubs, split into the following segments; Classic Inns, Local Pubs, Great Traditional Pubs, Slug and Lettuce, Scream, Yates, Bars and Venues, Missoula, Living Room, Smith and Jones and Varsity.

Stonegate is the winner of national awards, including:

• Best Pub Employer (51+ sites) – Publican Awards 2013
• Distinction in Innovative Use of Technology Award – HR Distinction Awards 2014
• Menu Masters Award for Best New Concept category for Missoula, Montana Bar and Grill at the Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2014
• Menu Masters Award for City and Bar Dining category for Slug and Lettuce at the Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2013
• Winner of the Town and City category for Yates’s in the Menu Innovation and Development Award (MIDAS) in 2012
• MA 250 Best Training Programme award in 2012 – Publican’s Morning Advertiser