New launch for rural pub and restaurant
A RURAL restaurant reopens this weekend with new faces at the helm following a £70,000 refurbishment.
The Barn will launch on Saturday November 4 with a grand opening from noon, a free bonfire and firework extravaganza later plus a live band.
Owner Mark O’Neill purchased the property, formerly Wood Farm Restaurant and Bar on Coal Pit Lane Willey, in August and has spent the last three months transforming the place.
The downstairs bar boasts bare brick walls giving a rustic edge while the upstairs restaurant has been insulated and cladded for extra cosiness and has three large windows which will offer views into the outlet’s own micro brewery.
Mark and his wife Anna, from Hinckley, have a beer gas business and will run that from units on site. Mark’s brother Thomas, who owns the Blue Bear pub in Nuneaton, and his partner Kate Simpson will be running the bar, making it a true family affair.
Plans are already in place to provide regular musical entertainment with bands and singers booked in over the coming months, as well as a pledge to show all the big sporting events.
Mark said: “All of my family have been involved in running pubs but I haven’t done it for a while - up until now. I’m a bit nervous as we’ve put our heart and soul into it so we are hoping it will be a success. But there isn’t anything really like this in the area.”
The Barn will boast a range of homemade dishes focusing on classics such as steak and burgers along with sandwiches and light bites.
Seabass and belly pork make it onto the menu as well as sharing boards including Camembert, loaded nachos and Mediterranean mezze.
All meat is sourced from award-winning Nuneaton butcher, Frank Parker.
Mark said two activity clubs had signed up to meet at The Barn each month, one a classic car enthusiasts group and the other a model aeroplane club.
He hopes the extensive range of buildings on site might also accommodate other groups or associations.
He said: “We aim not only to make a hub for the local community but also a destination venue especially in the summer with our seven acre beer gar- den. Next summer we will be looking to arrange events.”
The Barn can be found just down the road from Wolvey about two miles from the Axe and Compass Pesto roundabout.