East Midlands multiple operator, Johnny Parr has taken on a fifth Star Pubs & Bars site, The Cock in Werrington, Peterborough in conjunction with new partner, Damo Wallace his fiancé Katy Glindon and Parr’s partner, Sabrina Iredale.
The pub is Parr’s fifth pub with Star Pubs & Bars. The other local sites are the popular Square in Market Deeping, Manor House in Wortham, Mason’s Arms in Bourne and Black Swan in Spalding.
The Cock Inn is currently closed for a £280k refurbishment with Star Pubs & Bars which will see the pub transformed into a family friendly local offering food for the first time in years. Eight new jobs will be created when The Cock Inn reopens at the end of August.
The funds are being spent on a sympathetic overhaul and redecoration of the listed building, upgrading its facilities while maintaining its character. The layout will include a bar and dining room in which stonework will be exposed and original features, like the beams and working fireplaces renovated. Two previously boarded-up windows are also being opened up to make the dining room lighter, and a disused fireplace reinstated to create a warm and welcoming ambience.
The interior is being redecorated to create a traditional relaxed club feel with button back arm chairs and sofas in the lounge as well as a feature wall, panelling, settles and benches. The covers are being increased from 69 to 88.
Outside, the pub is being completely redecorated with a white render, and grey window frames. A new porch is also being added at the rear of the pub providing a link to the pub’s large beer garden and carpark.
Later in the year, the new pub operators plan to install play equipment in the garden. In the meantime, games such as giant jenga will be available for families to play.
The Cock Inn will host community pub quiz nights and continue to offer live music on weekends and live Sky sports as well as host a pub darts team. Going forward, there will also be family fun days in the massive beer garden with hay bales, bouncy castle, barbecues and live music.
Food at the Cock will include tapas style sharing platters and light bites in the day and a full menu of fresh home-cooked pub classics in the evening.
The wide selection of drinks will include premium lagers such as Birra Moretti, Amstel and Heineken Served Extra Cold, champagnes, prosecco, extensive wine and gin menus and cocktails made to order.
Damo and Katy have both worked for Johnny and Sabrina at their other pubs. Johnny said: “We’d been interested in The Cock Inn for a number of years as we knew with the right investment it had great potential. It was quite run down so when we heard Star Pubs & Bars was planning a major refurbishment we knew the time was right to take it on and that they would do a great job as they have done at our other sites.
“Our plan is to create a welcoming local community pub as well as the best pub family friendly food pub in the area. Werrington residents are travelling to our other pubs, so they know us and are delighted when they hear we’re taking on their local.”
Paul Linton, regional operations director for Star Pub & Bars said: “The Cock Inn, like other pubs, needs ongoing investment to ensure it continues to be relevant to the local community it serves. Peterborough has changed enormously in recent years and the area is crying out for a pub of this kind - a good quality family friendly pub serving great food and drinks.
“We already have a successful longstanding partnership with Johnny and so are delighted that he and his partners have taken on The Cock Inn as they know the area well and are well regarded locally.”