Saffron Leisure buys 2nd freehold

Family-owned pub company Saffron Leisure has opened a second site.

The company has acquired the freehold to the Grandison in Bramfield, Hertfordshire, from a property developer who had been trying to get planning permission to turn the pub into a house.

Villagers had been petitioning against development of the pub, which has been closed for six years. Saffron Leisure is headed up by Aaron and Cheri Clayton and the company aims to expand to another four freehold sites in the next five years.

Aaron Clayton said: "We want to concentrate on getting the quality and service right in each site, so if it takes longer we won't rush things."

Saffron Leisure also owns the Fox & Hounds in Barley, Hertfordshire, which opened two years ago.

Bramfield's village shop closed in January, so the company is opening a deli and farm shop in a barn next to the pub next month. The shop will offer home-grown produce from villagers' gardens, local and Continental meats and cheeses, speciality dry goods, confectionery, patisserie, newspapers, groceries and wines. The shop will also stock ready meals, pickles, chutneys, dressings and bread prepared on site. In addition wines will be available for home delivery.

Breakfast is available every Friday to Sunday, hampers and dog treats are on offer, and the Grandison will run a takeaway service for pizza, salads, home-made burgers and fish & chips.

The Grandison's head chef is Frank Skinner, previously head chef at the Letchworth Hall Hotel and Brocket Hall, Welwyn.