Condliffe, who also runs the Farmers Arms at Fearnhead and the Hatton Arms in Hatton, both Cheshire, will complete a major upgrade at the Red Lion with the help of his partner in the project, Neil Roughshedge, and a £240,000 investment from Star Pubs & Bars.
The announcement follows news reported by The Morning Advertiser that the operator of 2,700 pubs is prepared to pump millions of pounds into its tenanted and leased estate this year, according managing director Lawson Mountstevens.
The pub is being given a complete facelift with new outdoor signage and lighting, and substantially increased outdoor space with its barns and south-facing courtyard to be transformed into an all-weather alfresco dining area with 70 covers.
In addition, two indoor dining areas are being created, bringing the total number of internal covers to 70, making a potential total of 140 customers at any one time.
The pub will be closed during the first three weeks of the five-week project with the intention of unveiling the pub’s outdoor courtyard in time for the May bank holiday weekend.
Alfresco focus
“The way Heineken is investing in its pubs is good news and provided us with an opportunity to create something unique,” Condliffe explained. “Some 25 years ago, beer gardens weren’t as important as they are nowadays. Today, the emphasis is on alfresco dining.
“The Red Lion is the only pub in the village. It needed investment to bring it up to date and make it more inviting.
“We’re turning some lovely unused barns and an outdoor area into somewhere with a real wow factor that people will drive to to experience. It will be reminiscent of a Spanish barbecue bar with a wonderful atmosphere. And, as we still have the beer garden, we will be able to offer it to local businesses to hire out for meetings and team building events as well.”
Track record
“The investment will take the Red Lion to a new level and make it stand out from other pubs in the area,” David Pritchard, regional operations director for Star Pubs & Bars explained.
“With all the new housing being built near Moore, there is a real need to create a local community pub where new residents and existing residents can get to know one another.
“We’ve worked with Mark and Neil for many years and are delighted they are taking on the Red Lion because it will benefit from their combined experience.
“They have made a success of running town and village pubs, know the area well and have proven success of creating great pubs at the heart of the community.”
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