Priory Inns North West adds 10th site to estate
The group has expanded beyond its original heartland of Warrington with an investment into the Gardeners in Timperley.
It is the group’s second site with Star Pubs & Bars, the first being the White Hart in Warrington.
A joint investment of £380,000 was made into the Gardeners site, which received an extensive refurbishment, including added covers inside and outside.
A kitchen extension means the pub will be the only one in the area to offer fresh food and it will be able to broaden its appeal with menus for children and dogs.
The site now has 80 covers outside in a new garden area and 120 inside.
The company has seven leased sites and three freeholds, geographical spread to the wider north-west.
Mutually beneficial
Director Neil Sparkes spoke of his excitement about visions to expand further.
He said: “What we do works. We’ve got no finite number for the size of our business going forward. Our expansion plans will be determined by getting the right team to work for us.
“They need to be good, happy, friendly staff that are focused on giving customers everything they want. We give staff the autonomy to deliver this.
“Finding pubs for our expansion plans shouldn’t be a problem as there are a lot of good pubs like the Gardeners and we’ve got a strong record so pub companies like working with us. In our experience, the leased and tenanted model works when you can put together a mutually beneficial deal where both parties make money.”
Sparkes added: “I could see the potential of the Gardeners immediately. It is in a lovely area and just needed to be updated, and the underutilised garden given a makeover and made family-friendly.”
Star Pubs & Bars regional operations director David Pritchard said: “We’re delighted that Neil and his team have taken on the Gardeners. He has the White Hart in Warrington with us and has a great track record of turning around underperforming pubs.
“We wish him every success with this latest venture and look forward to future projects as he grows his north-west-based estate further.”
