MyNewPub

Three Horse Shoes Inn,

Ironsbottom, Surrey

Agent: Fleurets

Rob Martinez and Jenny Ladell have just moved into the Three Horse Shoes Inn, near Reigate, West Sussex.

Martinez has been in the trade for 10 years and started as a barman in London before working his way up to assistant manager. He then worked as a manager for Fuller's for two years before working as a relief manager for Pubs 'n' Bars. Martinez said: "By the time I left Pubs 'n' Bars I'd worked my way up to the post of area manager. I oversaw 18 pubs, mainly in southern England. I found it frustrating that I could not put my own stamp on the pubs. At the end of the day, I just wanted my own pub."

When the couple took it on, the pub was under-performing. They plan to turn the business round by cleaning up and introducing a food offering. Martinez will source his draught beers and lagers from Fuller's, his previous employers.

"We're planning to offer Fuller's cask ales such as London Pride and ESB as well as the normal selection of lagers.

"We have a good chef, Phil Furlong, who has been in the business for 14 years and previously worked for Tony Tobin, who regularly appears on Ready Steady Cook.

"We're going to do good-quality, good-value English food, with nothing bought in," added Martinez.

He is planning to start a pub website and is in the process of becoming a BII member and obtaining Cask Marque

accreditation.

Over the past few weeks the pub has seen a gradual

increase in trade and excellent feedback from locals.

The leasehold business, which is free-of-tie, was sold off an asking price of £95,000.