Who Cares Wins opens second site
Pub company Who Cares Wins has opened a second site, with plans for further sites over the next two years.
Business partners Richard Coltart and Alex Hughes, whose CVs include operational roles at Capital Pub Company and directors of Larrikinns which ran four London sites, have opened the 100-cover Abinger Hatch in Abinger Common, Dorking.
The pair opened the Manor Arms in London's Streatham in February and are looking to acquire the leasehold or freehold interests of another six London pubs.
The aim is to offer "stylish spaces with customer focused and super efficient service to create a unique food and drink experience, where artisan bread, mineral water and Wi-Fi are complementary."
The pub's manager is Jonathan Tye, formerly front of house manager at London's Pont de la Tour and Chop House.
Heading up the kitchen is husband and wife team Wessel Van Jaarsveld and Andree Diamond, who join from the Butchers Arms in Woolhope, Herefordshire, where they worked for Michelin-starred proprietor Stephen Bull and achieved Two AA Rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
The pub will serve only locally sourced produce. Wasteland at the rear of the pub is being transformed into an organic kitchen garden by the head gardener at the River Cottage. There are also plans to turn a barn at the site into six to seven lettings rooms.
Freehold the Abinger Hatch will also offer are traditional Sunday roasts, BBQ's and picnic baskets. Cyclists will be offered a bike pump, repair kit and spray hose to wash down dirty bikes.
The menu offers seared pigeon breast and black pudding hash (£6.95); duck liver terrine, toast, apple jelly (£6.50); the Hatch rabbit pie (£12); grilled lamb fillet, Jersey royals, broad beans and wild garlic (£15); apple butterscotch tart(£5.50).
