Multi-award-winning operator, The Secret Pub Company has taken on its second site with Star Pubs & Bars, the New Trent in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham.
Together with Star Pubs & Bars, the company is undertaking a joint £450k investment, which will see the closed pub reopen as a top-quality family and dog friendly village pub called The Radcliffe.
Run by David Hage and Mark Osborne, The Secret Pub Company was set up in 2016 with a vision of breathing new life into village pubs, offering fresh food, real ales, exclusive wines and warm hospitality. Their first pub together was the multi-award-winning Railway at Lowdham, which they opened in 2017 following a £400k refurbishment.
The New Trent investment, will radically change the pub in terms of look, feel and what it offers whilst staying true to the pub’s heritage. Similar to The Railway, food will be a major attraction when it reopens at the end of July. Twenty-five new jobs will be created as a result.
Inside, funds are being spent creating a relaxed bar area and two comfortable and characterful dining spaces seating 80. An open pass will allow diners to see their food being prepared while floor to ceiling glass walls and patio doors leading onto the spacious terrace will keep the interior light and airy.
Original features like the fireplaces are being restored and distinctive features added including a glass screen to the pass, a centrepiece ‘kitchen’ table with pots and pans hung above and long impressive table for 10. The bar will have a long centre banquette seat with cookery books along its spine, lending to the importance of food at The Radcliffe.
The toilets are being totally redesigned with elegant Victorian mirrors and sinks and pretty Cath Kitson-style wallpaper in the ladies. The Men’s is to have a vintage theme with classic car manual wallpaper and interesting props.
The walls will be panelled and, in a nod to Radcliffe on Trent's origins, its red cliffs, areas of the pub will feature exposed red sandstone.
Outside, will be the crowning glory for The Radcliffe. As well as a complete top to toe redecoration with new lighting, signage and planting, there’ll be an outside bar for private parties and two terraces seating 80 in total. These will include a chill-out cushion covered terrace with heating and a fire.
This terrace will be available to hire out for summer celebrations with a stone baked pizza oven for parties. A children’s play area with climbing frame, slide and play equipment for young children is also being installed in the pub garden.
Hage said, “The success of The Railway surpassed even our expectations. It’s been fantastic. We’ve done what we set out to do which is to build a brand and business famous for offering consistent great quality service, food and drinks and developed an exciting calendar of events.
“It was always our intention to open three pubs in the area in four years. We’ve bided our time waiting for the right opportunity, which we now have with The Radcliffe. It’s got a good-sized kitchen, garden and carpark and is in a super catchment area. To make it work it needed significant investment and to change radically, which is what we're doing.
“We have a great working relationship with Star Pubs & Bars. Leasing pubs works for us as a business model. It lessens the immediate personal debt risk and with Star Pubs & Bars you get a fantastic refurbished brand-new pub for a 10th of what it would cost for a freehold.
'You also have the opportunity of a longer lease, helping increase the value of the business. So, we’re looking forward to this latest refurbishment and creating another great village local.”
Alun Johnson, regional operations director, said, “The refurbishment of the New Trent is great news for the residents of Radcliffe on Trent and the surrounding area as it’s a major upgrade of a closed pub and a change in direction with new award-winning operators at the helm.
'David and Mark have an excellent track record at The Railway and a real passion for excellence. They know how to make a village pub a success and The Radcliffe is going to be another fantastic village pub for them.”