New bosses at suburban York pub report 'fantastic' first day
Sam (left) and Rob behind the bar (Image: Pic supplied)
The new operators of a community pub in a York suburb report a ‘fantastic’ first night.
Rob and Sam from Rotherham took over The Beagle in Acomb yesterday, after nearly two years running the Golden Hind in Kingstanding, Birmingham.
Before moving into hospitality, Rob worked as a Credit Controller for a law firm, while Sam had a career in banking as a Corporate Banking Manager.
Rob says this was huge change of direction for them, but one they have thrown themselves into.
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He told the Press: “At The Golden Hind, we quickly realised that what interested us most wasn’t simply running a pub — it was creating a community around it.
“The pub underwent a major refurbishment and we introduced Lunch Clubs, music bingo, quizzes, karaoke, regular live entertainment and numerous charity and community events.
“We wanted somewhere where everyone felt welcome and where people could walk through the doors on their own and very quickly feel part of something.
“One of our proudest moments was The Golden Hind being recognised as Community Pub of the Year. That meant a great deal because the community side of what we do has always been the most important part for us.”
Sam (left) and Rob outside The Beagle in Acomb
(Image: Pic supplied)
Rob also reports an ‘overwhelming’ response of cards, gifts, and messages when they said goodbye to the Golden Hind this week, which highlighted the friends they had made.
They have come to York for a fresh start, bringing their son and stepson with them, who will work alongside them and the existing Beagle team. They chose The Beagle for “its strong community feel.”
The pub is owned by Stonegate and operates under its Craft Union brand.
Rob says rather than change things, he and Sam want to work with the team, get to know the customers and build on the foundations already there.
He said: “The Beagle already has its regulars, its team and its own identity. We don’t want to lose any of that. We want to add to it, bring some of the things that worked so well for us in Birmingham and hopefully make The Beagle a pub the whole community can be proud of.”
The first day (Thursday) was ‘fantastic’ with people being lovely and friendly to them.
Rob continued: “Our ambition is to make The Beagle a genuine heart of the community pub.
“We’re introducing a busy weekly programme including Lunch Clubs, bingo, music bingo, quizzes, karaoke and live entertainment, as well as family and community events.
“We’re also planning Beagle Fest at the end of August, a family community event which will raise money for Acomb FC. We want to build relationships with local clubs, groups, charities and organisations and make The Beagle somewhere the wider community can use and enjoy.”
But they also want to listen and hear what the locals want from their local.
Rob said: “That’s why the message we’ve chosen for The Beagle is: Your Local • Your Community • Your Pub.”
Rob says his final message is for people to come in and say hello.
He added: “We’ve seen first-hand what a community pub can become. It’s not just somewhere to buy a drink.
“It can be somewhere friendships are made, somewhere people who might otherwise be lonely have company, somewhere families can enjoy themselves and somewhere a community comes together when somebody needs support.
“We’re incredibly excited about this next chapter. If the welcome we’ve received during our first day is anything to go by, we think we’re going to be very happy here.”