New leased pub group, Gamechanger Pub Company has opened its second site with Star Pubs & Bars – The Chatsworth in Banbury – following a £750k joint refurbishment to transform it into a family-friendly, premium local. More than 20 new jobs have been created.
Gamechanger now has three leased pubs and ambitions to build a group of six by taking on further sites with development opportunities similar to those at The Chatsworth.
Formerly a wet-only, under used pub called The Cock Horse, the venue was renamed The Chatsworth to signal its new direction. The investment has completely changed the pub’s external appearance with a new entrance, cedar cladding and an all-weather garden with seating for 200, festoon lighting and children’s play equipment.
The makeover has given The Chatsworth a stylish interior and introduced multiple income streams. The project has added: an extension housing a kitchen and 60-cover dining area; a sports zone featuring pool, darts, a state-of the-art AV system and BT and Sky Sports, as well as a coffee bar with soft seating and sofas.
High speed broadband, USB ports and multiple charging points have also been installed to meet the needs of business people and those working from home. The pub will open from 9am for coffee, pastries and breakfasts. Takeaway coffee will be available.
Gamechanger director, Clive Coules, said, “Pubs fail when they’re cash starved and operators don’t have the liquid funds to develop them. I’m a big fan of leased pubs. Our money isn’t tied up in freeholds so we’ve been able to jointly invest with Star at The Chatsworth to create a top quality pub with broad appeal.
'It has been a real partnership project – we’ve been involved throughout and able to make tweaks and changes as work progressed. The contractors Star used were excellent and the standard of the finish is fantastic.”
Star Pubs & Bars operations director for the South West, Neil Convery said, “Clive is a highly experienced licensee and business person. His other two pubs are thriving and we’re confident of replicating that success at The Chatsworth.
'The revamped pub provides lots more reasons to visit, meets the varied needs of local residents and delivers the premium experience they want. It’s a really bold investment that should put The Chatsworth back at the heart of the community and give people a local they can be proud of.”
Gamechanger is looking for more leased pubs in suburban and residential locations across Oxfordshire and on the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire borders. The company is interested in large sites with significant outside space and the potential to sustain different revenue streams.
