Mark Anderson of the Ruddington Arms has taken on the White Lion in Bingham and plans to maintain the pub’s wet trade while broadening its appeal by reintroducing food and upgrading its facilities when it opens its doors at the end of next month (August).
Star and Anderson have invested £180,000 upgrading the interior of the pub with traditional features such as flagstone flooring being retained with more comfortable furniture and industrial mood lighting installed.
The décor will have grey and blue hues with reclaimed wood used to add warmth to create a traditional, urban pub with an industrial influence.
On the outside of the pub, there will be new signage in a bid to reflect the new look and feel of the pub.
The garden will also be re-landscaped, which will double its size and create a family-friendly outdoor space.
Outside activities
The outside will have an outdoor pool table, fire pits, new lighting and heated garden sheds, which will have hot water bottles and blankets for the colder months, offering private drinking and dining spaces.
The pub’s drinks offer will include craft beer such as Shipyard American Ale and a Theakston IPA, alongside lager and a range of 10 varieties of gins.
The menu will include pub classics such as fish & chips, steak & kidney pudding, burgers, and grilled steaks alongside sharing platters and grazing food such as hot Camembert, British meats and cheese boards, labelled as perfect dishes for eating while watching sport.
Anderson outlined how the plan for the pub to appeal to all, will make it unique in the location it is based.
He said: “A good pub is about having a broad mix of clients, which reflects its community. The White Lion will have a pool table, darts board and Sky Sports, which makes it stand out from other pubs in the area.
“This style of pub requires less-skilled kitchen staff, who are hard to come by, so can be rolled out more quickly."
Understanding communities
He added: “My ambition is to have six pubs in similar large villages and small towns with a mixed demographic outside Nottingham.”
Anderson’s efforts at the Ruddington Arms were lauded by Star Pubs & Bars operations and sales director David Pritchard and wished him every success in his new venture at the White Lion.
He said: “He has successfully managed to appeal to a broad customer base with white van and Porsche drivers enjoying a pint alongside one another.
“Although the White Lion will not be so food-focused, Anderson knows how to provide great customer service and understands what communities want.
“The investment, together with Anderson’s plans and experience will take the White Lion to a new level.”