Bourbon connoisseur finds idea for new business venture under his nose

James Stockdale and Paula Howarth at Bourbon Craft.

THE owners of a brasserie and bar which is one of the first venues to be seen by visitors to Hull are promising to lead from the front as the city builds for a new era.

James Stockdale and Paula Howarth are urging other businesses to do the same and back past investment with new ideas to impress the crowds arriving for City of Culture.

James said: “We are in a prominent position and we want to lead from the front. Last year was very difficult but we are in our eighth year here, we’ve come through some hard times and we can see that there are better times ahead.

“New hotels are being attracted by major business investment from the likes of Siemens and the buzz that comes from City of Culture. There are some great things happening around the marina and alongside Princes Quay and we are one of the businesses which is coming up with new ideas. We’re aiming to go onwards and upwards.”

The couple opened Stanley’s Brasserie in Paragon Square during the summer of 2008. Five years ago they added Stan’s Bar and now they have picked up on James’s favourite tipple to launch Bourbon Craft – a stand-alone bar which also serves the restaurant and even influences the menus. They have also moved to seven-day opening over lunchtimes and they have plans to add to their five nights a week.

Bourbon Craft offers 32 varieties of Bourbon and Tennessee whiskeys, and the bar is officially the largest supplier in Yorkshire of Jack Daniels. The clientele includes Bourbon connoisseurs and people who just want to know more about the range.

James said: “A favourite is JD Sinatra Select, darker than the norm and blended especially for Frank Sinatra. It’s not difficult to get hold of but it’s not cheap either. Then there’s JD Monogram which is £850 a bottle and £56 a shot. It was made for the Far East market.

“The Green Label bottle is very rare. We are only allowed to buy one bottle at a time. From JD we moved into Bourbons. Particularly Blanton’s, the official single barrel bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. We are aiming for 40 if possible and my love of Bourbon is the reason for it. I have been enjoying them for a long time but I’d never thought of incorporating it into the business.

“As soon as we painted the outside black and white and put No. 7 on it people started coming in. In the past many people thought it was just an extension of Stanley’s Brasserie and only open to our diners, but now it has a separate identity, although our guests are more than welcome to have a drink in there before or after dinner and Bourbon features in our new menu, including a JD slow roast belly port and gourmet hot dogs topped with bourbon-style pulled pork.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “Stanley’s Brasserie is in a prime location and has built a great reputation for the quality of its food. Now they are indeed leading from the front and bouncing back from difficult times by introducing new ideas.

“The Bourbon theme is unique. HullBID is helping James and Paula promote the business and we hope others will follow their innovative example.”