The Akeman pub, based at No.9 Akeman Street, will have No.10 Akeman Street – an empty shop – incorporated into the site, providing more customer space.
The existing bar and restaurant will retain its current style, with the extension to the rear of No.10 allowing the kitchen space to be expanded, providing a better working environment, as well as creating space for a new wood-fired oven.
The kitchen will be more on view than ever before and much of the gas-fired cooking equipment will be replaced with more energy-efficient induction hobs and stoves.
The original single accessible toilet to the ground floor will be replaced with two new WCs making access to facilities easier for all while, at the same time, enlarging the restaurant space by 10 additional covers.
Wider range of dishes
Eamonn Borg-Neal, the recently appointed general manager, and son of group founder Peter Borg-Neal, said: “The shopfront to No.10 will have a new bay window mirroring those found in the neighbouring properties making the extension feel like a discrete, subtle addition and many of the new furnishings will be handmade locally in Hertfordshire.
"Our head chef, Conor McKinney, is looking forward to creating a wider range of dishes in our newly designed kitchen.
"He’ll still be focusing on our Mediterranean-inspired flavours and charcoal-grilled dishes, but the addition of the traditional wood-fired oven means we can offer an even more family-friendly menu, including a new range of hand-crafted, authentic pizzas.”
Talented people
The Akeman was the first Oakman Inn, leading the way to 20 sites across the Home Counties and the West Midlands.
On the opening, Peter said: “I am so proud of Oakman Inns and the talented people who make it work.
"They have collectively won awards, helped their local communities, driven support for the environment and, for 10 years, have helped to make this past decade so very special. Eamonn is a great example of our Oakman team, having started, quite rightly, at the bottom and is now responsible for the reopening and management of the enlarged Akeman.”
Before the Akeman reopens on Saturday 11 November, Eamonn is looking to increase his team to 40 full and part-time staff.
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