Brunning and Price pub reopens after multimillion-pound revamp

20-Nov-2017 - Last updated on 20-Nov-2017 at 16:33 GMT

Multimillion-pound makeover: the Haycutter has undergone an extensive transformation

Having been closed for the past two years, the Haycutter pub near Oxted, Surrey, has reopened after a £2m makeover.

The Haycutter – which dates back to 1851 – reopened in October following an extensive revamp including interior renovation, a new extension and an improved beer garden.

Brunning and Price bought the pub in December 2015 but work on the pub's multimillion-pound upgrade began in April this year.

Now open, the pub will offer a broad selection of local ales – including Shere Drop from Surrey Hills Brewery – as well as more than 40 gins and over 50 whiskies on the spirits menu. The pub’s owners are also hoping to compile a calendar of tasting sessions with local brewers and distillers in the near future.

Blend of old and new

Haycutter manager Chris Little said: "The best bit so far is watching everyone walk in and then the bewilderment and amazement when they see the scale of the pub. It’s wonderful that the front of the building, with all its charm, is the old pub but, towards the bar, it opens up into the new part of the building, which to many has been a surprise.

"Everyone has been really complimentary with comments of 'beautiful', 'amazing' and 'full of character' among the praise. The icing on the cake for me came from a lady whose dad sadly isn’t with us anymore, but used to be a landlord here. She said ‘Dad would be very happy and would very much approve’.

“A lot of the locals are really happy to have a meeting place back and very happy it feels like a pub.

“As well as meeting so many local customers, it has been wonderful to build a team from so many local people. Virtually everyone we have employed can walk to work. That’s been the key to what has become such a lovely family atmosphere.’’

Originally founded in north-west England and north Wales, Brunning and Price now owns a portfolio of 60 pub restaurants including a substantial stable in the south. Bought in 2007 by The Restaurant Group, it is currently renovating the Old Courthouse in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, which is expected to open in January 2018.

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