BAR and nightclub owner Ultimate Leisure has made its first acquisitions outside the North-East as it looks to become a national operator.

The Newcastle group, which employs more than 600 staff, bought the freehold to sites in Nottingham and Rotherham, along with the freehold to three other sites in the North-East, as it continued to put the infrastructure in place to support its continued expansion.

The news came as Ultimate revealed a 22 per cent rise in pre-tax profits in the year to June 30 to £5.2m. Turnover rose by 24 per cent to £20.6m

New ventures include a 1,300-capacity nightclub in Newcastle's Bigg Market, to be called Blubambu, which is set to open later this month.

Last year, the group completed a freehold site in Sunderland for another 1,300 capacity nightclub. A concept of clubs, known as Beach, is being introduced.

Ultimate also has Klute in Durham, the Glasshouse in Nottingham, while additional sites in South Shields and Jesmond, Newcastle, are expected to open after refurbishment later this year.

The revamp of another site in Sunderland created the group's second Chase bar.

Work is already under way on a third Chase venue, at the Boat House, in Durham City, which is due to open by the end of next year