Case study: The Garsdale Country Inn

The opening of a self-contained restaurant in a disused back room proved the crucial turning point in the development of the Garsdale Country Inn at Brandlesholme, near Bury, Lancashire. When lessees David and Gillian Heyes took the lease of the Unique-owned pub two years ago, food always featured in the couple's grand plan. The Heyes used their background in catering to formulate a food offering, which has now put the pub on the local food map. The story of the Garsdale's regeneration is a classic case of two entrepreneurs spotting potential in what was almost a trade no-hoper. During the Heyes' short tenure, both the pub's interior and exterior have been totally refurbished, the kitchens upgraded and a back room converted into a stand-alone restaurant. The restaurant now boasts up to 48 covers and also doubles up as a function meeting room when the restaurant is officially closed, thereby allowing the couple to cater for events such as funerals, small weddings and christenings. "The room was subdivided and an uninspiring sight when we first arrived," recalls David. "We knocked down the petition and re-decorated throughout and spent just short of £10,000 on the scheme. We also needed to spend a further £10,000 on the kitchen to give the extra capacity the new restaurant would bring." Development of the restaurant was the catalyst for increased food sales of some £100,000 in the second year after the Heyes took over. "The restaurant has also helped boost our wine sales from almost zero to about 15% of our total business," says David. The Garsdale has duly won its fair share of trade awards, being named as Unique's Food Pub of the Year and the Morning Advertiser Business Development Pub of the Year. David advises anyone considering converting a pub into a food-driven outlet to plan everything carefully, particularly getting different sized tables to make the most of the space available. Plan things properly and the results can be impressive for, as David adds: "In general terms, I would say the restaurant has proved one of the main turning points in the development of the business.