Apostrophe Pubs the owner of d’Parys, Bedford and the newly re-opened Merlin’s Cave, Chalfont St Giles has agreed terms to purchase The Lazy Cow, Stratford upon Avon, formerly known as Cox’s Yard. Charles Wells, the Bedford based brewer and pub operator is the long leaseholder of the site and originally converted the former timber yard on the banks of the River Avon to an entertainment complex in September 1998.
The venue has most recently been successfully operated as a steakhouse under the name of The Lazy Cow, owned by Ross Sanders, who has now decided to focus on business interests outside the pub and restaurant market.
Craig Mayes, Director of Apostrophe Pubs explained “Last year, we took on the challenge of building an amazing collection of pubs and restaurants, and Cox’s Yard is a welcome addition to our growing portfolio. Ross Sanders and his team have given the venue some real personality through its different trading operations and it has become well established in Stratford upon Avon. Apostrophe pubs has quickly expanded to include sites in Bedford, Chalfont St Giles and now Stratford Upon Avon and we are in the market for further individual leasehold, freehold or a small of group of pubs that would complement our growing business.”
Craig, added “Cox’s Yard is a perfect fit for Apostrophe Pubs with the building being steeped in local history and we look forward to incorporating this within our plans. We are really excited about the future and spending time with the great, hard working team that will join us when we take over later today, 7th September 2015. The only immediate change will be that the name reverts back to “Cox’s Yard”, after which the team will be working on the retail offers and investment ideas we have for the beautiful buildings that make up Cox’s Yard.”
Apostrophe pubs will close the site for four days this week to complete essential maintenance work and will then spend time getting to know what local customers want before a refurbishment in the new year.