Lewis Partnership takes fifth pub

The Stafford based Lewis Partnership, headed by a former BII Licensee of the Year, has taken on a fifth pub.

Private leasehold the Dog and Doublet at Sandon is now part of the group of which Chris Lewis is a managing partner.

The pub will close on 4 January for 12 weeks for a £450,000 to £500,000 refurbishment that will see new plumbing, heating and wiring as well as a new kitchen, new bedrooms and new soft furnishings. Lloyds bank has funded the work.

The pub is located on a main commuter road and since the Lewis Partnership took it on seven weeks ago, weekly turnover has increased from around £2,500 to between £6,500 to £7k per week.

Total dining capacity is 55, which will increase to 80 after refurbishment, and 40 to 50 meals are being sold each day, rising to a maximum of 150 on Sunday.

The wet:dry:accommodation split is currently 40:40:20. "We would like that to stay the same, but double trade in all areas," said Lewis.

"I have a bit of steer on the menu and believe in seasonality and local sourcing. The food will be traditional English — not gastro but good quality."

The existing 12 bedrooms will be turned into 11 boutique, country inn style rooms.

"The pub will be food oriented in areas, but we want to keep it as a drinking regulars' country inn with a real ale ethos," explained Lewis.

The refurbished pub will open in April with Twitter and Facebook advertising in time for the bank holiday in aid of the royal wedding on 29 April.

The Lewis Partnerships other sites are the Bear Grill; the Moat House in Acton Trussell; the Swan, Greengate Deli and Bear Grill all in Stafford.