Former Peach Pubs directors and licensees of The Wildmoor Oak in Bromsgrove, Bex Wilkins and Sarah Robinson have taken on The Plough in Wollaston, their second leasehold with Star Pubs. The wife team are undertaking a £250,000 refurbishment of The Plough together with Star Pubs and will reopen it at the start of September.
Their first pub, The Wildmoor Oak has become quite the destination for food. Whilst The Plough Inn will offer the same quality food, expect a busier bar trade and a lively atmosphere, with monthly live music nights.
In the next five years, Sarah and Bex plan to grow their portfolio and have three to five great pubs across the region.
Says Bex: “The make-up of our estate will reflect the opportunities that arise. What the pubs will share in common is high standards and great quality food and drinks.
“In the current climate businesses have to be proactive not reactive. To succeed, you have to have a comprehensive understanding of your position in the market and lean into that. The Wildmoor Oak is a real destination pub. The Plough Inn will cater to the needs of the
village and surrounding areas.
“With rising prices and overheads our view is that we need to focus on quality and stick to that. We will focus on quality and great service – that will be our point of difference.” The pub will have spaces in which to dine and drink, with a front and back bar, plus lounge space available for private dining.
The tired looking interior will be redecorated throughout, and new furniture installed to create a lighter, more contemporary look and feel. The toilets will also be upgraded with new vanity units and sanitaryware, mirrors, lighting and flooring and new equipment installed in the kitchen enabling the pub to broaden its food offer.
There will be seating for 100+ outside, with a new stretch tent for shaded dining and bench seating on the grass. Festoon lighting will give atmosphere, and beanbags will provide seating for lazy afternoons in the sun.
There will be a decent range of lagers, cask ales, premium spirits and wines, and a small selection of cocktails as well as barista-made coffee. The pub will seek cask marque accreditation. The menu will consist of the classics done well.
Star Pubs Investment Manager, Lee Dishington says: “We’re delighted to be investing with Bex and Sarah. They have years of experience in the pub industry and have done a fantastic job at The Wildmoor Oak. I am confident that The Plough will flourish under their stewardship. They want it to be a proper family friendly local, somewhere the community can enjoy and be proud of.”
