Madin, along with his partner Chelsea Hill, are undertaking a joint £210,000 refurbishment with Star Pubs which will broaden the appeal of the business. The pub will create eight new jobs when it reopens in mid-August.
The couple have run the Jubilee in Studley, a large value food-led destination site and another Star Pubs leasehold pub, for more than 10 years.
Maden said they may consider taking on other pubs, especially those that have had long-standing licensees that come back onto the market.
The investment in the Boot will double the bar area with a view to broadening the pub’s appeal, from a food destination pub, into a family and dog friendly village local.
Broadening appeal
A new bar menu with a selection of affordable small plates will be launched when the pub opens though the restaurant will continue as before.
The restaurant will open at lunchtime and in the evening and the bar will offer food all day every day from midday.
“The previous licensees had the Boot for 18 years and had established a reputation for food.
“We have continued this but couldn’t grow the business further without broadening the pub’s appeal.
“Doubling the bar area will allow us to do this and make the Boot the hub of the village. Once up and running, we’ll start to host quiz nights and live music as well as put on other events throughout the year,” Maden said.
Potential noted
He also said that they had not planned to take on the Boot but could see its potential.
“In this current climate you see pubs come on the market that change hands frequently. It’s the pubs that have long standing licensees that are the ones to watch; they don’t come on the market that often,” he added.
“We are not looking to expand in the short term but if the right pub came along, we’d have a look.”
Star Pubs investment manager Aubrey Taylor added: “Chris and Chelsea are experienced pub operators. They’ve made a great success of the Jubilee, which has a huge footfall, and the Boot, which will go from strength to strength following the refurbishment and new broader offer.
“We’re delighted to be co-investing with Chris and Chelsea to take the Boot to a new level and to create a great village pub for the whole community to enjoy.”
