£1m revamp of cricketers’ pub ‘will increase turnover by 60%’
The Leicestershire gastropub forms part of The Cat & Wickets Pub Company, owned by Gurney and Broad, which also operates the Tap & Run in Upper Broughton, Nottinghamshire.
During the past year, £75,000 has been spent on refreshing the Griffin’s interior and creating an elevated courtyard. The £1m is to be spent on further renovations with work due to start Tuesday 2 January 2024.
The kitchen will be overhauled to double its existing size and will include fully electric equipment. The Old Stables will be transformed into an additional dining space that will create 80 more covers and a further 30 covers will be installed in the courtyard.
20 new jobs to be created
The management team anticipates a 60% increase in turnover following the renovations, which will equate to a 60% uplift in available working hours. As a result, the team anticipate that 20 new jobs will be created alongside progression opportunities for the existing team with the site expected to reopen in March.
The Cat & Wickets Pub Company managing director Harry Gurney said: “We’re really excited about this next round of renovations.
“I’m a Loughborough lad, and Stuart and I both know that we are simply caretakers of a pub that has meant a lot to the local community for hundreds of years.”
Nurture and cherish it
Gurney continued: “We promise to continually nurture and cherish it while always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the customer experience along the way.”
Everards business relationship manager Matt Crehan added: “We’re delighted to work with the Griffin team to bring their vision for the pub to life.
“In 2023, we’ve invested over £4m in supporting our business owners with repairs and investments.
“We look forward to kick-starting 2024 by supporting the Griffin and the Swithland community by investing in their pub.”
