Building on success at The Three Horseshoes

January 24, 2025

Mike & Grace Jones had big boots to fill when they moved into The Three Horseshoes last October, taking over from Nigel & Julie Rainbow who retired after 25 years at the popular Henley pub.

The couple, who had previously lived in Harpsden Road, returned to Henley after 18 months at the Jolly Farmer pub in Cookham Dean, where Mike was general manager. His career in pubs started when he was 14 years old, collecting glasses, and he worked his way up to management, which he combined alongside being a personal trainer. Grace has a background in talent management.

Grace & Mike Jones at The Three Horseshoes

Mike said, “We want to keep this as a traditional pub. We don’t want to modernise it and lose its character. I think we can enhance the food trade a little by bringing in more fresh produce. And we’re going to carry on with the popular quiz nights and the darts team and show live sport, maybe bring in some live music every few weeks as well.”

He added:

“Your local pub is like the living room of your community; it’s the type of place where everyone should feel welcome and find it comfortable and cosy.”

Mike & Grace have a four-year-old son and two dogs. Grace said: “Nigel & Julie commented that we’re like the younger version of them, as they were also a young family when they took on the pub. We’d be really happy if we could enjoy the same longevity at the pub as they had.”