Award-winning business owner ‘optimistic’ despite needing to sell extra 200 pints per week to offset rising costs
An award-winning business owner who has made a success of two venues across Northamptonshire remains “optimistic” despite the lengths needed to offset rising costs.
Luke Bavester took over West Haddon’s country pub The Sheaf Inn back in September 2018 as chef-director, having worked in the hospitality industry since his early teens.
Half a decade later, he took on The Olde Red Lion in Kislingbury and opened it back up to the public in November 2023 as he saw great potential in the venue.
As The Sheaf ran smoothly with a great team behind it, Luke saw 2023 as the ideal time for a second location – particularly as he has a passion for opening closed pubs and giving them a new lease of life.
“They are both primarily food-based,” Luke told the Chronicle & Echo. “But we also really love and value our drink trade and there’s a lot of emphasis on supporting local breweries.
“Visitors can expect really tasty food. It’s all locally and responsibly sourced and in season. We look out for local suppliers as best as we can. The premise of our food is flavour first.”
Luke described The Sheaf as a “slow build” that required a lot of learning to get it to where it is today. He hopes to offer a “polished” experience at both places, with The Olde Red Lion having reached Luke’s standards a lot quicker.
“We’ve had great responses to both,” he said. “There’s a really supportive core group of customers who visit multiple times a month. That’s the dream.
“New people are great, but it’s those who come in all the time that are our bread and butter and look after us.”
Luke believes it is the cosy ambience, informal yet personable service and delicious food that customers like most about the two hotspots – and he says that reviews show that.
Luke was asked what sets his venues apart from others across Northamptonshire and said: “I’m a chef. That was my career and I’m still developing. The venues are driven by a professional rather than a board of directors.
“You can see the creativity in what we’re doing. We buy the best stuff even though some things don’t make financial sense because we know it’s lovely.”
With business owners having already expressed their concern and skepticism about what lies ahead in 2025, Luke says he is “always optimistic”.
He continued: “You always have to carry optimism with you. People don’t want venues run by landlords quaking in their boots.
“I’m not naive to the challenges ahead, but you’ve got to pull up your socks and shout about what you’re offering from the rooftops. Being consistent is all you can do.”
With rising costs and a new government’s budget to contend with, Luke says his calculations show that The Sheaf and The Olde Red Lion are both £30,000 worse off.
“That’s 200 pints per week of extra profit to make,” said Luke. “It makes a big difference, but people aren’t going to visit if you’re sad and lethargic. We need to be positive and give people a reason to visit.
“At local pubs especially, people wince at the price of a pint – but none of us are getting rich off that. Nobody is making money other than the taxman.
“We provide great products and great value when you spend that money. You’re helping to pay a small business’ mortgage.”
As the weather continues to improve, Luke encourages the community to visit his two pubs and restaurants – and believes the “sun trap” garden at The Sheaf is the best in West Haddon.
With food and drink available without visitors even having to leave their seats at The Sheaf, Luke hopes more people will come to see how the garden has been transformed from the original car park it used to be.