West Country
Puesdown Inn
Compton Abdale, Gloucestershire
The Puesdown Inn is a glorious roadside tavern that looks as if it has welcomed customers for centuries. Parts of the building date back to 1236 and it is set in the rolling Gloucestershire countryside and strategically sited at the highest point on the A40.
Yet before John and Maggie Armstrong bought the freehold in August 2002, the Puesdown was a trading nightmare. It was generally only open for two-and-a-half days per week and many of the locals had long since abandoned the pub.
Restoring the pub
During their first two years', John and Maggie spent approximately £100,000 renovating and refurbishing both the pub and three upstairs guest bedrooms. Maggie says: "We cordoned off areas of the bar and restaurant and did most of the work ourselves. At times, the restaurant was in a different place every three weeks."
John, who was a chef at the Savoy and at hotels and restaurants at home and abroad, says: "Our vision was always to make the Puesdown food-led. Good, simple, fresh, home-cooked food with as much as possible sourced locally."
Wooing the locals
Maggie says it took "a long time to woo the locals, who are mainly from the farming community, back into the pub", but thereafter momentum snowballed. Apart from providing produce and patronising the Puesdown, local farmers have helped the Armstrongs source rare breeds and organic suppliers.
Recognition of the quality of the food has come via inclusion in AA Guides and being voted Les Routiers' South West Inn of the Year for 2005.
During a typical week, about 200 covers are served at lunchtime, 180 covers during the evening, and approximately 75 covers for Sunday lunch. Among the most popular dishes are: tian of white Cornish crab and avocado (£6.95 as a starter) and assiette of pork and apple, sourced cabbage and potato fondant (£17.00).
Additional culinary events
Additional incentives to attract diners
include: monthly live jazz and three-course meal sessions; wine and beer tasting/matching dinners; charity events such as a fashion show with dinner; and regular cookery
demonstrations.
Last year, food sales at the Puesdown's grew by 8%.
