Experienced local publican Gemma Burwood is fulfilling her growing ambitions by taking on her second site in the city with Ei Publican Partnerships.
Having revived the fortunes of struggling sites for some of the UK’s leading brewers and pub companies as a turnaround specialist, Gemma has added The Chestnut Tree in Norwich to a two-pub portfolio that she has big plans to grow.
Closed for 18-months and formerly called The Bull, the Reepham Road site has been transformed following a £250,000 refurbishment by Ei Publican Partnerships into a welcoming pub restaurant offering honest, home-cooked, good value food, made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Starters include barbecue pulled pork quesadilla and deep fried brie; main courses feature slow cooked lamb shank and chicken and chorizo pasta bake; while the dessert menu includes sticky toffee sponge pudding and jam roly poly. There are also steaks and grills, fish dishes, a Sunday carvery, plus a children’s menu.
The drinks selection features a full range of beers, including a selection from Norfolk brewer Adnams, plus wines, spirits and popular cocktails.
The extensive refurbishment included internal and external decoration, creation of a new porch entrance, new signage and lighting, installation of a disabled toilet, new wood flooring and carpets throughout, a full kitchen upgrade, and new furniture. The bar server has been reconfigured and has a new bar top, there is a new back bar, and cellar and beer dispense equipment has been upgraded.
Gemma, who has now formed the company Burwood Inns, also has The Oak Tree, another Ei Publican Partnerships site, just five miles away, in Ipswich Road, Norwich.
She said: “I had the opportunity to take that on from a former colleague around three-years-ago, and had been looking at The Chestnut Tree, on and off, for about 10 years. Having the one pub, I felt confident I could take on a second: it was either be comfortable with one, or push myself and take on more. I’ve now got ambitions to grow further, and the potential is there to take on number three.”
Run day-to-day by a manager and assistant manager, The Chestnut Tree welcomes everyone from drinkers and diners, to families and people celebrating special occasions. Local groups and clubs use the pub as a meeting place, and it hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response from local people,” said Gemma, “thanking us for bringing something back for the community. It’s hugely rewarding to take a pub like this and use the experience and knowledge gained from many years in the industry, along with Ei Publican Partnerships’ ongoing support, to turn it around and make it popular and successful again.
“I’ve a real passion for it, and I try to make sure that passion makes its way through to my team, not just here, but The Oak Tree, too.”
Ei Publican Partnerships Regional Manager Adam Cogan said: “Already having one pub with us meant we were confident Gemma could do a similar job at The Chestnut Tree, and she certainly has. We are happy to work with publicans that match our ambition and drive to make a site successful and Gemma’s enthusiasm is infectious.
“When she’s ready to add to her portfolio, Ei Publican Partnerships will only be too happy to help support Gemma in making a success of pub number three and beyond.”