Moorhouse’s national sales manager Mike Hiscock was on hand to toast the reopening of an historic Cheshire village inn following a major £150,000 refurbishment.
The investment aims to create a community venue and top quality informal dining destination at the Yew Tree Inn, Bunbury, near Tarporley, which had been closed for two years.
Now – despite the economic climate – former Lancashire man Jon Cox and his wife Lindsay plan to breathe new life into the once popular hostelry, replicating their success in recent years in transforming the former derelict Bull at Shocklach, near Malpas. The Bull is already a Michelin and Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) praised country inn.
Mike Hiscock (left) raises a glass at the Yew Tree with Ed Warrington and Lindsay and Jon Cox.
Originally named the Crewe Arms, the free house Yew Tree has been imaginatively refurbished with a mix of traditional and contemporary design features – including large solid wooden bar, wooden board or tiled flooring throughout and beamed dining/drinking areas with three real fires. A spacious new sun terrace provides excellent outdoor dining. Eventually outbuildings will be developed for accommodation.
The informal pub food offer will use only the best ingredients, much from local suppliers while Reasheath College advisors have helped plan a kitchen garden. There’s a 50 bin wine choice and malt whisky collection lined up alongside at least five regular hand pulled real ales from a selection of craft brewers, including Moorhouse’s. A further six pumps will be available for beer festivals and other events.
Cask ale enthusiast Jon said: “We plan some great events, including a Game Food Festival in November and aim to create a welcoming pub venue for the community with support for local groups. We will have cask ale at the pub’s heart and hold regular beer festivals.
“This is major business expansion for us at a very challenging time, with pubs closing everyday. However, as we pull out of recession, we are convinced that a quality village pub with excellent, affordable, food and cask ale from craft brewers will prosper. We aim to emulate the Bull’s success.”
Jon is originally from the Burnley area and has maintained a long love of Moorhouse’s ales. “It was only right that Moorhouse’s should be in on the opening of the new pub and we plan for it to feature regularly on the bar,” said Jon. He and Lindsay will oversee both businesses while remaining at the Bull. Chester man Ed Warrington, 28, formerly with premier pub company Brunning & Price as assistant manager at the Grosvenor, Alford.
Mike Hiscock said: “It was a real pleasure to support Jon and Lindsay in the opening of this terrific inn. We plan sales push in the Cheshire area and the Yew Tree is a terrific venue to showcase our award winning ales.