Boost for The Miller ahead of reopening
Ranked in top three pubs with gardens in UK by
AN award-winning local restaurant has been named one of the best of its kind in the UK by the Daily Telegraph.
The Miller of Mansfield – an awardwinning gastropub and hotel in Goring-on-Thames – ranked third in the national newspaper’s list of the 50 best British pubs with gardens.
The survey was commissioned in the run-up to April 12, when restrictions will be lifted on the ability of pubs and restaurants to serve customers outdoors.
The Miller is opening from April 14, following a prolonged period of closure after a fire closed the restaurant in October, then lockdown.
The owners are optimistic as to the Miller’s prospects post-lockdown.
Mary Galer runs the restaurant alongside her husband, Nick.
Speaking on Monday, she said: “We’re really over the moon to be mentioned in the Telegraph.
“It’s against some other great establishments, so we were really pleased – it came as a great surprise.
“We’re offering takeaway service – and that’s for food and wine.
“We’re doing cask ale in beer cartons – that’s something new for us.
“Nick’s adapted the menu quite dramatically to sort of make it much more outdoor, summer food.
“So very much sort of sharing platters, you know, with friends and family.
“We’ve updated the wine list – we’re working with a few new suppliers.
“We’ve got new English wine suppliers that we’re working with.
“The team is exactly the same.”
Mrs Galer said that business was already picking up and that they are prioritising the welfare of staff after a turbulent few months for the pub.
She said: “We’ve just briefed the staff this morning, just making sure they’re all okay.
“We’re starting off with reduced hours to make sure that they know we’re here for them.
“Their welfare is really important to us.
“We’ve had massive support from the locals, and people are booking in – the rooms have started to fill up.
“We’ve got a couple of really busy services booked in already, which is fantastic – we’ve just got to pray to the god of weather now.”