Licensee of Newcastle House in Rothbury, and a former hotelier and restauranteur, Chris Greaves has taken on his second Star Pubs lease, The Coach Inn in Lesbury, nr Alnwick. He is undertaking a joint £330,000 refurbishment of the village pub with Star Pubs which will be completed mid-November in time for the festive season.
The Coach Inn, the only pub in the village, reopened in February after a four-year closure with Chris and his team managing it on a temporary basis until he took on its lease.
The investment will see the picturesque pub benefit from a new extended kitchen, dining areas and a snug together with a great garden. The sympathetic redecoration will take the country pub to the next level. There will be three new jobs added to the three jobs already created earlier this year.
Chris says: “I had The Coquetvale Hotel in Rothbury for eight years, The Town House restaurant in Alnwick and at one time was General Manager of The White Swan Hotel, in Alnwick. Having had experience running hotels, restaurants and pubs, I wish I had focussed on pubs years ago. Income is better paced and more regular.
“I used to live in Alnwick, so knew The Coach Inn in its heyday. We’re in a bit of a bubble up here when it comes to trade. The pub is in a great location in an affluent village 10 minutes from the beach, on the coastal path for cyclists, motorbikes and motorists and close to tourist sites like Alnwick.
“Proof of its potential is already evident. Locals have really embraced having their pub back, albeit without a fully functioning kitchen and a dated decor. The addition of a new kitchen will broaden the pub’s appeal and extend its catchment area.”
Tammy Molson, Star Pubs & Bars business development manager commented: “Having listened to villagers’ concerns we decided to reopen the pub with limited facilities earlier in the year until we were able to start the refurbishment with Chris. His manager Gemma Scollick and chef Tracy Hayes have been embraced by the local community and done a great job making The Coach Inn the beating heart of the community.
“Chris is a very experienced operator, and as ex-chairman of Alnwick & District Roundtable understands the commercial landscape locally. I wish him, his team and the local community many happy days and evenings ahead and a fantastic end to the year.”