A pub in Cotgrave has finally re-opened its doors after a lengthy closure just in time for locals to celebrate Christmas. The metal fencing is down at the Rose & Crown, in Main Road, and the first customers have been welcomed back.
Licensee Elly Wilson and her partner Ben Oxley are at the helm. Elly, 34, said: "We've been made very welcome. People have been dropping off logs for the log burner and given us Christmas cards, it's been quite overwhelming but a very nice welcome."
Ben, 44, added: "The previously landlord and landlady came in and gave us a card and wished us well and gave us a few little tips."
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Elly has years of experience in the hospitality industry, previously running pubs, clubs and food vans, in Loughborough, Bourne and Greece. She previously had a spell at the Salutation in Keyworth.
Taking on the Rose & Crown has been a leap for her, marking the first time she's taken on a full lease. She was approached to run the pub 18 months ago but wasn't in a position to do so at the time. "I'd always worked in partnerships with breweries. Obviously will the full lease you get to put your own mark on things," she said.
Ben's main business is Oxley's Installations, specialising in fitting fireplaces and installing log burners, and he will continue with that, while helping "behind the scenes" at the pub.
The pub has given given a major facelift both inside and out since its closure. One of the major new features a seating area around a firepit, under a pergola, in the large beer garden.
"It's been closed since August 2020 I've been told by people. It had been a run down pub for a few years," said Elly. "Everyone is happy for it to be open. They love the revamp, It's much lighter and much more airy. And they love the selection of beers and lagers we have on there."
Cask ales, ciders, Beavertown IPA, Carling, Amstell, Guinness, John Smith's and Birra Moretti are on draught. One cask is being kept free for customer input so they can mix it up from one week to another.
They're also relying on drinkers to let them know if there's any particular gins, wines or whiskies they'd like to see behind the bar. A cocktail menu is launching in January. "If there's something they don't like, or something they want, we'll try and change it to keep everyone happy," said Ben.
A pre-Christmas buffet was put on but a food menu won't be launched until next year. First they need to employ chefs. Ben said: "We want to do good pub food, nothing too fancy, just your fish and chips, pies and mash and we have a couple of pizza ovens as well.
"We want it to be a good wholesome pub, family and dog-friendly and a little bit of everything, but we're not going down the sports route." However, they hope to stage live entertainment every two weeks.
The pub will be open on Christmas Day from 11am to 3pm and will be hosting a ticketed party on New Year's Eve.
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They approached me a year and a half ago in between Covid and asked if I wanted to take a full lease pub on and I wasn't in a position. I'd always wanted
Elly previously run pubs, clubs and has had food vans but decided to take a leap and take on the full lease.
Ben runs own busiess fitting fireplaces and log burners I am behind the scenes
Stonegate Pub Partners
It will see one pergola built at the front, and another in the rear garden, along with new festoon lighting and AstroTurf.
Post and rope fencing will also be added to the existing car park.
The owners of the pub, which is currently temporarily closed, have said that they are "heavily investing" in the venue.
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