Locals at the Lion

December 16, 2016

Four Cholsey residents have stepped the other side of the bar after taking the keys to the Red Lion in November.  One of the new tenants, Alex Venner, said, “We’re all Cholsey residents and we were drinking in the Red Lion when we heard the then landlord was moving on. We hated the idea that the pub might close, or change too much, and the obvious solution – after a few pints, it must be said! – was to run it ourselves.”

Despite having no previous hospitality experience, the foursome approached Brakspear and presented a good business plan which won them the pub. After a four-day ‘makeover’ – helped by tenant Clive’s building expertise – designed to make the pub brighter and more welcoming, the new team opened the doors on 12 November.

Alex says, “We’re getting a good mix of customers from families to groups of friends,  and everyone appreciates what we’re doing. And our new pizza oven is a huge hit – we can’t cook enough of them!  So far, so good!”