Pub will be part of the community
A COUPLE who have taken over a rural pub are hoping to make it a central part of the community.
Phil Kavanagh and his partner Nicola Riley started at The New Broom, in Checkley, a month ago.
It is the first time the couple have run a pub, and they are excited about what they can bring to the venue.
Phil, aged 60, said: “We want to fully integrate with the community, and for the pub to be a focus point. We want the locals to know that we’re are not going to be another shortterm landlord.
“We really want to make this a place where families are welcome.”
Phil trained in hotel management and spent six years in the industry before moving to London. He most recently worked as a salesman at B&Q, while Nicola was a care worker.
He said: “I always wanted to get back into the hospitality trade because I’m a people person.
“I enjoy seeing people enjoy themselves and if I’ve been a part of providing that pleasure it makes me happy.
“I was working at B&Q but decided I wanted to run my own business again – I have run businesses for half my working life.
“Following a meal at a lovely pub in Biddulph we decided we would investigate going into the pub trade.”
Phil and Nicola lived in Biddulph for 15 years before moving to The New Broom with their 13-year-old daughter Ashleigh. They also have six grown-up daughters between them.
The Uttoxeter Road pub has a bar area, a large restaurant area and a separate function room. It also boasts a huge beer garden with a children’s play area and a camp site. Dogs are welcome in the bar but not the restaurant.
As well as a carvery, a new menu is being launched today, which will feature ‘pub classics,’ steaks, gourmet burgers and pizzas. A takeaway service will also be available.
Phil said: “We are excited for the future – I love a challenge. There are so many things we can do with the place.
“We want to make some changes to the function room and it will be available for events and family parties. Eventually we want to set it up properly for weddings.
“We will have entertainment and we will be holding family fun days in the summer.
“If the local community wants to give us feedback about what they want we will try to accommodate their needs.”