New pub honours DJ John Peel

l Ravenscroft manager Iain Middlebrough outside the new pub

February 1, 2007: A new Barracuda pub at Heswell, on The Wirral, has been named after late Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who was born in the town.

Peel's real name was John Ravenscroft and the Ravenscroft Arms represents an £800,000 investment by Barracuda, transforming a former health and fitness studio. The opening has created 25 full- and part-time jobs.

Manager of The Ravenscroft, Iain Middlebrough, said: "The opening night was excellent and we had some positive feedback from customers. Heswall is a popular town and we hope to bring a new day to night offer to the area.”

The Ravenscroft takes the total number of Smith & Jones-branded Barracuda pubs across the UK to 96 and the total number of the group’s pubs nationwide to 193, with plans to open a further 30 new sites this year.