Revived restaurant and pub hopeful about reopening next month in Northants under new ownership
The team behind a revived restaurant and pub are hopeful about reopening next month in Northamptonshire under new ownership.
Canalside venue The Wharf Bugbrooke has been closed since the start of the year and is now preparing to welcome the public back after being taken over by Stuart Jones’ Northampton Event Company.
Not only is Stuart the director of wedding and events company Impressions Caterers, but he has three existing pubs under Northampton Event Company – The Griffin Inn in Pitsford, The New Inn in Abthorpe and The Kings Head in Syresham.
“I watched this venue come up in February and did my initial approach,” Stuart told the Chronicle & Echo. “Our aim is to run and hold freehouses, free of the tie or burden of pub chain restrictions. We keep the prices down.”
The venue is currently in the licensing phase and Stuart hopes to open to the public on December 3, with the outside currently being revamped and the inside remaining a quintessential English pub and restaurant.
Stuart continued: “Our aim is to offer a freehouse selection of drinks at freehouse pricing. We hope to be somewhere around 75 pence to £1 cheaper on the pump than nearby venues as we’ve got no tie. If we don’t need to charge extra, we won’t.”
The Wharf Bugbrooke hopes to be a welcoming, happy and comfortable venue, with a focus on attracting families and providing a safe space. The pool table, slot machines and bar stools have been removed.
Looking to the future of The Wharf, Stuart is optimistic about placing a fish and chip shop in the venue car park for visitors to make use of without entering the pub. This will enhance the choice in the village from January next year.
Inside will be a predominantly fresh food offering prepared by skilled chefs. This will include a value-for-money lunch menu, an a la carte evening menu, and weekly Sunday lunches.