Within months after the closure of Mechu, another venue on Summer Row has closed down.

Après Bar has ceased trading.

In recent years, Après Bar sites in Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Cheltenham have also closed. The brand is now preparing to relaunch as The Texan Sports Cafe Bar.

After struggling as a result of the disruption from the Paradise roadworks , Mechu closed in March.

In November 2016, administrators were called in to Town and Country Inns which owned Mechu, Après and Fleet Street Kitchen in Summer Row after a dramatic fall in trading.

The former Après bar in Summer Row will reopen as The Texan Sports Cafe Bar
The former Après bar in Summer Row will reopen as The Texan Sports Cafe Bar

At the time, co-owner Mark Jones said the £500 million Paradise project , which involves major roadworks near Summer Row, had badly affected trade, causing it to slip into administration.

Mr Jones said: “In a nutshell, the roadworks have strangled the business. We have bars elsewhere but 70 per cent of our business comes from Summer Row.

“A new company with new directors have come in to take over.”

Mechu bar and roadworks on May 21, 2015
Mechu bar and roadworks on May 21, 2015

The new owners Alan Rees and Benjamin Smith decided to shut Mechu in March while keeping adjacent sister businesses and Fleet Street Kitchen open.

In May, the site’s parent FSK Group reopened Mechu as new look M Bar.

After opening in 2002, Après Bar which had a 'Scandinavian lodge theme' was popular with Brummies for screening major football and F1 fixtures on giant 3D plasmas. At the time of writing, Fleet Street Kitchen on Summer Row will remain open. The group’s Fleet Street Kitchen in Mere Green closed in April.

The restaurant opened in June 2016 replacing Après Bar. Its owners will now transform the venue into a prosecco bar which will also specialise in afternoon tea with a pastry chef.

The Texan Sports Cafe Bar will serve up beers and burritos and open at Summer Row later this year.

The Birmingham Mail has approached the FSK Group for comment.