Kerridge opens his second site in Marlow on 1 December, just down the road from his two Michelin-starred site the Hand & Flowers. Kerridge has said he wants the Coach to be “a modern day high street pub” which is flexible, sociable, affordable and a place to both eat and drink.
Stephen Folbigg said: “I have no doubt it will inspire people to look at the pub in a different way and encourage new people to come in to the industry and diversify. It is really exciting what he is doing.”
Kerridge has been assigned an existing Enterprise lease with 10-years remaining and is tied on beer and cider.
No booking policy
Open all day from breakfast through to dinner The Coach will offer an evolving menu which reflects the time of day. The site has capacity for 40 people and a no booking policy.
Folbigg said: “The potential queues could be a big challenge, but it is a lovely problem to have. I think it is a brilliant idea to have no bookings as he is giving something back to the people of Marlow who now find it difficult to get a table at the Hand & Flowers due to demand.”
The site will also feature Sky Sports on mini screens.
'Really excited'
Folbigg added: “We are really excited about having Tom as an Enterprise lessee. He is the most talked about operator in the country and arguably the most successful. We would love to involve him more in the business.”
He also said although there was nothing in the pipeline, Enterprise would love to work with Kerridge on another site should he decide to expand further.
The site was previously operating as a Chinese restaurant. A three month refurbishment has been carried out funded by Kerridge. Folbigg said they had been in negotiations with Kerridge for the site three to four months prior to this.
Other high-profile operators who have recently taken on Enterprise sites include Michelin-starred chef Dominic Chapman who has taken on the Beehive in White Waltham, Berkshire. He appeared in BBC Two’s Great British Menu earlier this year.