PUB RUNS IN THE FAMILY!
Landlord Edward reopens revamped country boozer where he grew up...
A COUNTRY pub popular with people from the Potteries is back in the hands of the family that successfully ran it for 24 years.
John and Hilary Burrows bought Ye Olde Rock Inn, near Leek, in 1985.
The couple ran the Upper Hulme venue until retiring in 2009, when they leased the pub out.
Now, after a complete modernisation, the baton has been passed to their son Edward and his partner Amie Haydon.
Hilary said: “We’ve owned the pub since 1985 and Edward was born two years later. Growing up here, he never wanted anything to do with the pub.
“It was leased between 2009 and 2019 and when that came to an end we closed it down, it needed refurbishing.
“We were delighted that, at that point, Edward decided he wanted to run it. We have done a lot of the work ourselves and it took longer than we expected with covid to deal with as well. It is now back open and trade is coming back, but we’ve found a lot of people don’t know the pub is open again.”
The original part of the historic building is believed to have been constructed in the late 17th century, when it was used as a house for the mill manager responsible for the production of textiles in the village below.
Originally called The New Inn, it has been a pub since 1816.
Situated in the shadow of the Roaches, with Hen Cloud to the rear, it has always been a popular spot for hikers enjoying the beauty of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Edward, aged 34, said: “Having grown up at the pub I never really wanted to be involved. I needed to move away to truly appreciate it.
“We have modernised the pub while keeping its historic features. When people go out they want to feel relaxed but they want a quality experience. That’s what we want to give them.
“All of the ingredients we use here are, where possible, locally sourced and – unlike a lot of places – everything is cooked fresh to order.
“At the moment we are getting a lot of customers from Leek and Buxton, and a lot of walkers. Increasingly, people are seeing us as a destination pub and we have already got a lot of bookings for December.”
As well as the main bar and dining areas, the venue has a pool room and hikers’ snug. Dogs are welcome in designated areas of the pub.
Ye Olde Rock Inn is open Tuesday to Sunday. Food is served from 12pm until 8.45pm, except on Sunday when food service ends at 8pm.