Brakspear has invested £750,000 in its first managed pub, the Bull on Bell Street in Henley-on-Thames, which opened on the Easter weekend.
The listed building on one of Henley’s busiest streets stands next to Brakspear’s head office and was part of the original brewery at various points in its 700-year history. It was trading under the name Ko-Ko’s until closing for redevelopment in January.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said, “The Bull has been one of Henley’s best-known pubs for centuries and it has been a joy to restore it. We’re confident that it will quickly become a favourite among residents and visitors to the town, offering top quality food and drink, a relaxed atmosphere and professional, attentive service.
A new direction for Brakspear
“Opening the Bull as a managed rather than tenanted pub marks a new direction for Brakspear. We are continuously reviewing our business model and looking for new ways to do things – not changing for change’s sake, but taking opportunities that will deliver success. In the competitive pub market, operators have to be innovating all the time to stay ahead.”
He added, “We don’t have a plan to open a fixed number of managed pubs within a certain time, but we also don’t rule out further managed sites. We’re going to trade the Bull before making any further decisions.”
Top quality ambience, food and drink, and team
Designers Hollington, working with Brakspear’s in-house design manager Stephanie Dennett, have created a ‘traditional pub meets modern brasserie’ feel at the 190-cover site, preserving much of its heritage while adding a contemporary feel with, for example, glass walls to maximise natural light and low sofas for informal gatherings. Outside, a large patio offers booths for drinking and dining.
Food is a big part of the Bull’s offer and from weekend brunch to afternoon tea, lunchtime sandwiches and light bites to a more formal evening menu, every dining occasion is catered for.
Brakspear has recruited an outstanding front of house and kitchen team for the Bull, creating a total of 18 jobs locally. General manager Tuesday Dixon has an impressive track record in the pub industry, including two years as general manager at Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head in Bray, where assistant manager Sophie Kilgour also worked. Head chef Wayne Pegler worked at Canteen with Marco Pierre White. The Bull has created a total of 18 jobs locally.
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