Anglian Country Inns opens sixth site

Nye said he hoped to build on the pub’s existing reputation within the village by focusing on real ales and introducing a hearty menu using local ingredients.

The pub will be headed up by Marek Vlk, who has spent the last four years at another ACI site, The Jolly Sailors in Norfolk.

Mark Nicholls, who has also been with ACI for the last three years, will be running the kitchen. Nye said the menu would be based around Nicholls’ experience in homemade, rustic dishes including lots of bar snacks (and a sausage roll available by the inch) to support the beer drinkers.

Community​

The site was previously owned by Rhubarb Inns and the freehold has been purchased by the Nye family which will be leased back to ACI, who will run it in its current format before investing in the site to add extra covers and garden development at a later date.

Nye said: “I am very excited about this acquisition. As a family we have known The Cricketers for a long time and very much look forward to seeing the pub once more become a big part of the village community.”

The group recently won Gastropub of the Year in the inaugural Food Awards England and Wales 2014 for its site the Fox at Willian.

The sale was handled by Davey Co’s Oxford office having been instructed by Rhubarb Inns.