Lindsey Flint and the Victoria Tavern have played a big part in that record. Flint arrived at the Enterprise Inn pub, her first tenancy, in November 2013 after a solid background running large managed houses for Scottish & Newcastle and managing another of Ruddington’s pubs, the White Horse.
Impressed by her experience and enthusiasm, Enterprise signed a Beacon agreement with Flint that guaranteed her an income plus a wide menu of support from which she’s chosen what best suits her business. The Victoria remains a wet-led community pub offering a welcoming food, music, quiz and child-free environment that attracted Flint’s former customer base from the White Horse.
She has since worked hard not only to continuously raise standards but to extend the range of cask beers on offer, and premiumise spirits and snacks, steadily lifting her turnover, while a £2,000 investment in the garden this year has given the Victoria an extra attraction.
Staff
A small team of part-time staff, led by assistant manager Lauren Porter, have all been at the pub for more than a year, and get to know their customers well – thanks in part to a crib-sheet behind the bar. They’re well trained too, taking full advantage of the courses Enterprise offers.
Flint instigated the Ruddington Beer Festival, staged each June in four of the village’s pubs which between them offer 150 different ales over the weekend. Now the plan is to keep pushing the boundaries of what the pub can do, with Enterprise right behind her.