Morgan Pub Collective site opens after £270k refurb
The Morgan Pub Collective has taken on its sixth pub with Greene King Pub Partners, the Gardener’s Arms in Oxfordshire.
The pub, located in Jericho, Oxford, has completely transformed inside and outside by owner Greene King Pub Partners thanks to a £270,000 investment, giving it a whole new lease of life.
Inside, the pub has new seating, tables and fixtures, including new lighting.
The bar has also been revamped, and there is new tiling and refurbished wooden floors.
The pub’s exterior has also been upgraded with new frontage including new signs.
As a Morgan Pub Collective pub, the Gardener’s Arms will pride itself on a premium offer, with gastropub-style food and craft beer.
The food on offer will be tapas-style, such as scotch eggs and sausage rolls. The drinks on offer will include its own brewed beers.
The Gardener’s Arms operator Richard Morgan said: “We’re really pleased to add The Gardener’s Arms to our growing portfolio of pubs with Greene King.
“The pub has been beautifully refurbished and upgraded throughout ahead of re-opening. Situated on the North Parade near the centre of Oxford, the pub is in an area that fits the profile of what we look for and where we think our premium offer will be popular.”
Surrey operator takes on second pub
Ollie Bailey, licensee of the Running Mare in Cobham, Surrey, has taken on his second pub.
The Seven Stars in Ripley, Surrey, is Bailey’s first leased pub and site with Star Pubs & Bars.
Together with Star, he is undertaking a £265,000 refurbishment of the Seven Stars which begun on 23 October.
The food-led business will reopen at the end of November as a dog and family friendly traditional local, a hub of the community.
10 new jobs are being created on the back of the investment.
Bailey said: “The Seven Stars was tired and old looking but the bones of it are good. It is a decent size and similar layout to the Running Mare with a great outdoor garden. I wouldn’t have been interested however if Star wasn’t investing as it needs this cash injection to enable it to reach its potential.
He is “optimistic” about the future. “If you have a good head and know what you’re doing there are opportunities like the Seven Stars to be had,” he added.
Ther revamp will retain the traditional look and feel of the pub, while giving it a fresher, lighter ambience and an improved layout.
The reconfiguration will results in more zoning of the pub for dining, a food pass so customers can see their food being prepared, a new bar and back bar, and an extra toilet.
The exterior is being given a complete facelift redecorated in green render and brick with gold signage and traditional lantern style lighting.
Alfresco eating and drinking in the pub’s garden is either in outdoor heated wooden booths or on picnic tables and benches.
The menu will include classic modern British dishes with using local ingredients.
Brakspear pumps £2m into two L&T sites
South east-based multiple operator Brakspear is investing £2m into two of its leased and tenanted sites after signing agreements with growing pub groups Little & Large and Friendship and Beer.
The Leicester Arms in Penshurst, Kent is the second Brakspear pub signed by Little & Large Pub Company, joining the Running Horses near Dorking in Surrey last year.
Brakspear is conducting a major refurbishment of the Kent pub later this month (October) with reopening planned for earlier 2024.
Fellow Surrey pub the White Bear in Warlingham was taken on by Friendship and Beer during the summer.
It is currently being refurbished to create a more open space for drinking and dining, with its doors reopening at the end of October.
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