Roseacre Pub Company and Star Pubs are investing £350,000 jointly to refurbish the Roseycombe in Binley Woods near Coventry, with the aim of reopening in time for Christmas.
Although it will only serve drinks on reopening, the Roseycombe will introduce a food menu in January and will create 25 new jobs.
Renovations to the pub include adding five “elegant eight-seater dining pods” in the garden, an outside bar and a “stylish heated patio” covered with a stretch tent that can be booked for private functions.
An internal makeover will see a smart new décor while the layout will change to include a “spacious bar” for drinks and socialising, a cosy snug, a comfortable lounge and a new dining area developed out of an old conservatory.
Other improvements include installing a barista coffee machine, putting in a carvery and refitting the kitchen to enable the pub to major on food, such as a Sunday roast carvery.
Target audience
The Roseacre core business model is focused on mid-market suburban dining pubs with 100-plus covers inside and large gardens and car parks.
Trade is typically 60% dry and 40% wet with the food centering on “good-quality, affordable pub classics, as well as dishes with a twist done well”.
Wherever there is space, there is a carvery, with eight of Roseacre Pub Company’s 10 pubs having one.
Roseacre is looking to grow to up to 15 sites and hopes to lease more sites from Star Pubs.
Roseacre owner Ash Gartshore said: “Star understands our business and has excellent sites they care about and invest in. Importantly the design process is very much a partnership and we’re equally involved in shaping new schemes.
“Our expansion is contingent on finding the right pubs in the right locations with the right demographics for our offer.
Sales up
“This goes hand in hand with having employees trained up to open new sites, as we develop our talent internally and pride ourselves on offering them long-term career opportunities.
“For that reason, we only consider pubs within a 45-minute drive from Leicester so team members don’t need to move home to take up new positions.
“Sales are up year on year and have been relatively buoyant over the summer, despite the poor weather, with excess demand at times.”
Star Pubs business development manager for Coventry Nathan Darby added: “Roseacre is a superb business operator that knows its market inside and out, and consistently delivers an offer that works.
“Our joint investment will enable them to create another strong pub business in the Midlands.”
