New look for village pub
A BURBAGE couple decided to help secure the future of their favourite local by becoming the new publicans.
David and Sue Hillyard were so impressed by the Red Lion when they moved to the village four years ago that they jumped at the opportunity to take over when the previous publican retired.
Now, following the completion of a major £100,000 refurbishment project in partnership with pub company Punch, they are looking forward to realising its full potential.
David said: “We are passionate about Burbage and as regular customers of the Red Lion ourselves, we know it has huge amounts of untapped potential. All that was needed was a fresh approach with some modernisation and a little TLC for it to become a great pub again.”
David and Sue are seasoned entrepreneurs having run a number of property and retail businesses together over the last 25 years.
The new-look Red Lion will focus on providing a traditional pub experience with quality real ales, lagers and wines. It will also offer freshly prepared lunches, which David feels will give their competitors a serious run for their money.
He said: “Sue and I have done our homework by eating at most of the other local pubs and we feel confident that our lunches can’t be bettered when it comes to value for money.”
The couple is also proud of the pub’s new gin menu, which features a locally sourced range of quality brands, as well as its outdoor function facilities.
David added: “A lot of people don’t realise that we have a good sized south-facing garden, a large permanent marquee and a new traditional heritage oak framed seating area to the side of the pub, which is perfect for any type of social function.”