Experienced operator and local butcher join forces at The Three Tuns

April 24, 2025

(l-r): Barry Wagner and Nigel Sutcliffe outside The Three Tuns

A talented duo with years of experience are taking on The Three Tuns in Henley after 25 years of making plans to run the pub!

Nigel Sutcliffe opened The Oarsman in Marlow in 2021 and was previously chief operating officer at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck Group. Barry Wagner is the owner of Gabriel Machin, Henley’s traditional butcher’s shop next door to the pub, in Henley’s Market Square.

Nigel was a long-standing Machin customer and he and Barry discussed the pub next door for many years across the butcher’s counter.  They aim to create a welcoming space for the community to enjoy warm hospitality, top-quality butcher’s cuts and great beer.

Starters will include Gabriel Machin Oak Smoked Salmon with Celeriac Remoulade; Ham Hock Terrine with Piccalilli and Fennel & Nduja Cambridge Sausages. The mains will be determined by Barry’s butcher counter and will include a selection of meats and fish cooked on the robata grill. A Burger Shed behind the pub will serve delicious burgers to enjoy with a pint in the cosy courtyard, or take away.

The pub reopens in May after a refurbishment and will be run by the team from The Oarsman, with the kitchen headed up by its exec chef Scott Smith, and the front of house run by General Manager Patrycja Gajda.

Nigel comments: “Gabriel Machin is such an institution in Henley – and rightly so – selling the highest quality cuts of meat, and fish and Barry is such a well-loved and well-respected figure in the community.”

“I’ve always loved the idea of buying the pub next door, using Barry’s incredible produce combined with Scott’s talents in the kitchen to create something special.”

Barry added, “I am beyond excited to kick off this new chapter with the Three Tuns.  I’ve been thinking about running a nice pub with great food for years and this just feels right. With the expertise from Nigel and his team, Scott in the kitchen and the best of Machins we really think the new ‘Chop House’ is going to be very popular.”

We think the combination of  hospitality executive and quality butcher are a recipe success and are delighted to welcome Nigel and Barry to Brakspear.