Calder & Hops
With huge screens, top-tier entertainment, great food & drink, and an unbeatable atmosphere, our Grandstand pubs are built for people who live and breathe live sport. We don’t just show sport - we live it. From matchdays to live music and big sporting moments, Grandstand pubs are where local communities and fans come together, and where your next partnership could start.
Calder & Hops is a well-established town-centre pub in the heart of Wakefield. Surrounded by residential housing, local businesses, and the local college, the pub benefits from consistent footfall and a diverse customer base throughout the week.
The pub operates from a single trading area, featuring a comfortable bar area for guests to relax alongside a dedicated space with pool and darts facilities. A pavement-licensed seating area to the front further enhances its appeal within the bustling city centre.
Currently attracting a mix of local regulars and shoppers during the week, Calder & Hopps also forms part of Wakefield's vibrant weekend circuit. With an exciting refurbishment and conversion to the Grandstand format planned for early 2027, this presents a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious operator to establish themselves in the business ahead of the investment, build strong local relationships, become a key part of the community and lead their team through an exciting transformation.
There is significant earning uplift potential through the planned Grandstand investment, building on current weekly sales of approximately £10,000 with a strong 80% wet / 20% dry sales mix. The refurbishment will create an exciting sports-led destination, driving increased footfall, growing both food and drink sales, and enhancing the pub's appeal while maintaining its strong connection to the local community.
We’re looking for an experienced, sports-driven Pub Partner who thrives in high-energy, wet-led environments and knows how to create standout guest experiences week in, week out. Previous food experience is essential, with experience operating branded food offers a strong advantage. You’ll be commercially focused, confident leading large teams, and passionate about using sport, atmosphere and great hospitality to drive results and make your pub the place everyone wants to be.
What’s in it for you?
- 22% share of weekly sales (excluding VAT) plus a guaranteed annual retained sum of £25K (released weekly)
- Low ingoing costs, deposits starting from £5,000 and £360 legal cost. (*deposits can vary dependant on business – ask us for more details*)
- Accommodation included with most bills covered, except the council tax & TV License (*a fee may be payable for some services such as garden maintenance)
As part of our application process, we may use Lily, an AI-powered interviewing assistant to support the early stages of screening. Lily helps us move quickly, keep things flexible for you, and create a more consistent candidate experience, but one thing you should know – all hiring decisions are still made by our people.
Please note: Photos featured in our Grandstand advertisements may include images of previous Grandstand investments across the estate to illustrate the look and feel of a typical Grandstand conversion. Images used may not reflect the current setup of the specific site being advertised.
All proposed investment is subject to final approval and formal sign‑off in accordance with company governance and capital expenditure approval processes.
