A man who always dreamt of running his own pub has fulfilled his wish after taking on a closed down country inn. The doors of the Nevile Arms in Kinoulton have opened once again following a three-month closure.
But Darren Guildford isn't going it alone. His partner Michelle Bloxham, a florist, is joining him in the enterprise, as well as lifelong friend Justyn Durham and his partner Steph Salt. The rural pub was in reasonable shape, with a rustic but contemporary style decor, so there hasn't been the need for a major revamp, just a freshen up with a lick of paint and new sofas and furniture.
Darren, a former car salesman, who set up mobile chippy Gilly's Fish Bar in 2020, spotted that the pub had closed during his rounds in Kinoulton and neighbouring villages. But it wasn't the first time it had caught his eye.
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He said: "I used to come here in February when it was freezing and there was ice and see the lights on in here and people having a drink - that's how a village pub should be. This pub just stood out. I thought 'wow' that's what you call a village pub."
He couldn't resist when he discovered it was on the market, following a lifelong dream. "I said to my Mrs, I want to go for that pub and she said 'oh no Darren, not another business idea' but one thing in my life I've always wanted to run a pub and live above a pub. If it works out only time will tell. It's looking exciting but also scary at the same time."
With no knowledge of the pub trade, the foursome have experienced bar manager Ben Berry at the helm when it comes to serving drinks, whether it's a pint of Blue Monkey's pale ale PG Sips or a pitcher of Pimm's.
"We spend most of the time on this side of the bar instead of that side so we've brought Ben in. He helps us out loads. He does know how to run a bar inside out and has done us proud," said Darren.
But one thing for certain, they know they can't just rely on drinks' sales alone to make it a profitable business. There has to be excellent food to draw people in, so an award-winning chef is due to start working there on July 31.
"I've always been in cities or massive towns. This is different, it's a little village and you have to get people travelling to you. People aren't going to travel for a pint - you've got to make it a destination. They will travel if you have great food," Darren added.
The dining area, with white linen tablecloths and sparkling glassware, is ready and waiting for up to 32 diners. Justyn, who worked in recruitment for 20 years and runs an IT services company, is a huge foodie like Darren and is prepared to travel miles for a great tasting menu.
Justyn said: "Every single one of us has a passion for food so it was always going to be a winner for us being involved in an establishment offering food. This aligns our passions. There's an opportunity here and us all being good friends has another appeal for us doing it together.
"It's not just a combination of people's resources, it's also the skills sets we each bring to the table. I am very numerical and the rest of the team aren't so the accounts and financial operations are going to be done by me.
"Darren is very amiable, got a bit of a character to him, and those qualities will stand us in good stead front of house and the same with the girls."
The menu has yet to be revealed (and isn't the one on the blackboards in the pub) but Justin said the chef will have the freedom to demonstrate his creative flair to serve up something different to every other country pub in the vicinity.
"We want to do something different so I guess a twist on the classics is one of the things we will be doing and coming up with some dishes that are very unique. And we want to do a Sunday roast, well presented with top quality meat and locally-sourced vegetables.
"Through speaking to the local community more and more - and there is a strong community here - they have almost been neglected from the point of view of having a hub and a restaurant. We are very keen to maintain that somebody's going to get in a car for 40 minutes and drive here for quality food but equally make sure we're not neglecting the locals and making it a place they can come, and afford to come - as you can't be spending money on high-end food every day - and giving them the opportunity to come together."
Besides the restaurant, the pub, in Owthorpe Lane, also boasts a bar, a cosy snug overlooking the sunny beer garden, a barbecue area and even a miniature summerhouse with a dog bed and treats for four-legged visitors.
Already the pub has made a difference by opening on Mondays and Tuesdays - something which didn't happen before. Justin said: "We've had some challenges but we've come out the other side, maybe with one or two scars, but we're a lot stronger and knowledgeable after what we've tackled.
"We've got support. If it had been one of us it would have been really tough but we're bouncing ideas off each other all the time and are there to support each other where necessary."
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