The Fox & Goose Inn - 5th Anniversary
Published On Friday 8 May 2015 by Sticky Beak
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Back in 2009 when the decline of our pubs were making headline news, closing at a rate of 50 a week, Craig Lynch from The Manor (previously Brampton Manor) decided it would be a good time to buy into another pub!
“The bank manager wasn’t happy” remembers Craig, “but my view was if they keep closing at that rate, and I get it right, then there’s a good chance I’ll be the only one open!”
I can’t fault that positive thinking and five years on the Fox & Goose Inn on Pudding Pie Hill, Wigley continues to be a popular pub and venue.
“When we took on the pub it was a small tired village pub with very few people at the bar each night. I set about investing £250,000 in the pub. The bar was a small room, plus a snug, but immediately next to it was an old outbuilding and beyond that a three bedroom house.
“I converted and opened up the house and outbuildings, adding a new kitchen, restaurant area, private dining room (the old front room from the house) and orangery. The upstairs layout was also improved to include a function room to hold over 100 people.”
The result was a high quality dining pub. “We updated the original bar, but retained the charm of a traditional pub, and the ‘ramblers snug’ with stone floor, a welcome retreat for muddy booted walkers and their dogs is still intact.”
The new function room and dining space brought new opportunities and Craig applied for a wedding licence. “The Fox & Goose Inn became an instant success on the wedding circuit. It’s a place where couples can tie the knot and then sit back with family and friends to enjoy the wedding breakfast. The surroundings are modern and comfortable, the views from up here are stunning and it offers some great photo opportunities.”
“The food at the Fox & Goose Inn has been recognised by Westside Magazine as Best Out of Town restaurant, beating off competition from the whole of Sheffield and North Derbyshire. Aside from the panoramic views from the Orangery and Dining Terrace one factor that set us apart from other out of town venues was the complimentary shuttle service provided for parties of 6 or more.”
“We’ve made some additional changes recently, installing new booths in the restaurant and upgrading the decor to remain at the top end of quality pub dining in the region” explains Craig.
“We also hired a great new head chef, Dan Box, a local lad from Doe Lea who trained at Chesterfield College and has learnt his trade under AA Rosette chefs.”
“It’s been great to work with such inspirational chefs and oversee a top venue such as The Fox & Goose which has the potential to get even better” adds Dan. “and I’ve made it a target to achieve an AA Rosette for the Fox & Goose Inn by the end of the year. It won’t be easy, as inspections can occur at any time, we’ve got to be top notch all the time, but I’m confident we’re up to the mark.”
“The food is traditional British. People come here for a classic pub pie and a pint in the day, but in the evening diners can also choose from a selection of our a la carte dishes on our blackboards” says Dan.
“We’ve launched a new menu it’s a fantastic choice and this is backed up each day with the big blackboard menus where my team can showcase their talents. The Landlord’s Lunch is a real winner. I change the menu every week and people can get 2 course for £10 so it’s like a mini – a la carte menu for lunchtime diners”
Dan has a sweet tooth and originally being a pastry chef he’s keen to capitalise on the benefit of overseeing a venue based on the appropriately named Pudding Pie Hill! “As well as the menu and blackboard selections of hand-crafted desserts we are launching the Pudding Pie Hill Pudding Club in May where diners can have a taste of all the desserts on offer with some wines and liquors”.
Article courtesy of S40 Local
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