The Inspiration for Pub Success Since 1794 01-May-2025 Last updated on 01-May-2025 at 08:04 GMT has welcomed customers back to the Bull’s Head in Earlswood The pub’s alfresco offer has been enhanced with a new outdoor space – named the Barn at the Bulls Head – which centres around an outside bar a striking fire and heater for year-round drinking and dining Table tennis and interactive games are also on offer the property has benefitted from the addition of a new bar and a large space ideal for private dining as well as a new restaurant area to showcase a new menu The family and dog-friendly inn’s refreshed menu focuses on fresh local ingredients The project has seen five new jobs created within the local community with a 40-strong team now working at the Bulls Head Thwaites inns operations director Mick Horan said: “The refurbishment has been part of our long-term plan for the inn since it joined our portfolio “We’re thrilled to have reinvested back into the property and see this project come to life – just in time to welcome spring and kick off our best summer yet.” Punch Pubs & Co has acquired the Crown pub in Market Drayton will join Punch’s leased and tenanted estate managed by experienced multiple operators Ami Sanobar and Darren Paul Former general managers Nikki and Mike will remain at the helm Punch head of acquisitions Andrew Cannons said: “We’re delighted to have expanded our portfolio with the Crown “This is a fantastic pub that is highly valued in the local community It’s great to see Nikki and Mike make their return as general managers and we know the team and guests will be equally delighted “With Ami and Darren’s experienced leadership we do not doubt that the Crown will continue to thrive for many years to come.” Said to be one of the oldest pubs in the town the Crown boasts a traditional aesthetic with a refurbished wooden interior and a large beer garden to the rear there are three areas offering spaces to dine and drink Punch operations manager Christian Gregory added: “I’m looking forward to this new beginning at the Crown and excited to be working with Nikki Mike and the team as they transition into the Punch family and we know the community takes great pride in it so we’re looking forward to seeing its continued success with many exciting plans in the pipeline.” the Burton-on-Trent based pubco acquired four sites from Leicestershire business Everards The Old Kings Head in Long Buckby, the Paget in Loughborough, the Cricketers in Leicester and the Dog & Gun in Whetstone also joined Punch’s leased and tenanted estate. Read more here reopened on Thursday 10 April following a £315,000 investment from Admiral Taverns the pub has been transformed with new furniture The back bar and function room have also been fully refurbished The Valiant also features four virtual dart boards one pool table and several flat screen televisions new lighting and signage has been added and the terrace has been revamped including new circular benches that seat up to 60 people Operator at the Valiant Mandy Barber said: “I am absolutely delighted to be at the helm of the Valiant and to have played a part in this fantastic investment I’m confident it will help me and the team unlock the Valliant’s full potential as a true community pub.” the pub hosted a complimentary prosecco reception and a live performance from a local artist followed by a jam packed weekend of entertainment including disco Proper Pubs operations director Matthew Gurney added: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Mandy at the helm of The Valiant combined with her passion for the local community makes her the perfect person to create a thriving social hub that will sit at the heart of Grimsby for many years to come “On behalf of myself and the entire Proper Pubs team we wish Mandy and the team the very best of luck for the future – I’m really looking forward to seeing all that she will achieve.” who run the Red Lion in Shepperton and Golden Grove in Chertsey have added a third Star lease to their portfolio The site is part of their strategy to expand in sites in west London where they can add value It marks the partners 10th anniversary in the pub industry having previously run the Fish Club restaurants in London Their gastropub site the Red Lion in Shepperton is a former winner of Great British Pub Awards (GBPA) Star Pub of the year. Read more here Heartwood Inns has revealed the Ragged Robin pub in Godalming Part of Heartwood Collection group, which was recently awarded ‘Best Pub Brand/Concept’ in the 2025 Publican Awards, the site marks the brand’s sixth pub with rooms The pub has benefitted from a multi-million pound renovation including an extension to a dining area at the rear of the property which opens onto a large garden with views of the River Wey In total, the Ragged Robin boasts 19 boutique bedrooms, with prices starting at £100 per night for a midweek stay, 200 internal dining and drinking seats, and an additional 124 outdoor covers. Read more here Famous London pub the Sherlock Holmes has received “significant” a six-figure investment to revive the historic building is famous for being one of London’s original themed pubs and is said to have featured in the 1892 Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor it is themed around Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s world-famous detective and contains a large collection of memorabilia related to the character since the 1950s Greene King said the Sherlock Holmes is the latest historical pub to receive investment, with the Crown – which dates back to 1833 and is the last remaining pub on the Seven Dials in Covent Garden – and the Garrick Arms, on Charing Cross Road, both reopening recently. Read more here To be featured in the Morning Advertiser’s property round-up please send details and high-res landscape images to rebecca.weller@wrbm.com. See the previous round-up here. Spring sunshine and events boost pub managed sales in March29-Apr-2025By Michelle PerrettBrighter weather and events in March helped boost like-for-like sales of managed operators by 3.6%, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed. Lucky Voice for Business sees 31% revenue rise29-Apr-2025By Nikkie ThatcherSocial entertainment brand Lucky Voice’s B2B arm has seen monthly like-for-like revenue increase by almost a third over the past 12 months. Campaigners frustrated with delays to ‘justice’ for Crooked House pub29-Apr-2025By Rebecca WellerCampaigners have vented their anger after a bid to rebuild the Crooked House pub was delayed some 18 months after it was torched. Quench your Thirst with Beers from the European UnionPaid for and content provided by European Union Strong winds across the bridge can be hazardous to traffic necessitating reduced speed limits and potential closures for safety reduced speed limits and a bridge closure may be needed to ensure the safety of drivers We use specialised forecasts and monitoring equipment for accurate wind speed measurements which may differ from media reports.  Our procedures based on forecasted wind speeds are as follows: a diversion route via the A48 is in place between Junction 41 and Junction 42 of the M4 for Earlswood and a diversion route via the A4229 and A48 is available between Junction 37 and Junction 38 of the M4 for Kenfig The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response Redhill is a town in the borough of Reigate and Banstead which adjoins the town of Reigate to the west Straddling the border between Solihull and Warwickshire the best known local landmark are the beautiful Lakes Home   Sport   Article STRATFORD slipped to a 72-run in the Premier Division of the Warwickshire League as leaders Handsworth strengthened their place at the top of the table kept the score down early on and there were wickets for Cameron Stiles (3-49) Josh Baines (2026) and Sean Hopwood (2-50) But Handsworth opened up in the latter stages with Rohel Peters swinging the bat for a boundary-rich 72 while Bevon Brown scored an unbeaten 42 off 29 balls to steer their side to 225/7 from their allotted 50 overs Gareth Langman was an early casualty as Stratford looked to chase down their target but Osian Catlin (29) and opener Neel Ammanath (27) kept the scoreboard ticking They had reached 85-2 when the latter fell and nobody else managed to deal with the lively bowling other than Walker who finished 20 not out as the Swans Nest side were dismissed for 153 Stratford skipper James Urquhart said: “At the 25/30 over stage of their innings I thought we were right in it I thought that if we could just finish off the innings we could chase a nice target But Handsworth did what they do best and started to clear the ropes I was on the wrong end of many of those sixes “It was a little disappointing to let them get as many as they did but we got off to a really good start scoring 50/1 off ten overs and I could not have asked for more But we lacked the experienced middle order of Nathan [Edwards] and Stratts [John Stratton] If we had had them playing then I think it might have been a different story.” Ben Fitzgerald scored a half-century for Earlswood at home to Warwick but it was not enough to stave off a five-wicket defeat to leave them languishing at the foot of the table With opener Sardara Narotra dismissed for a duck in the first over by seamer Josh Osborne Earlswood made the worst possible start and things went from bad to worse when Harvey Williams followed him back to the pavilion in the next over to leave the hosts at 2/1 Adil Haider went on to score 16 before he was trapped lbw and there were also useful contributions from Colby Snipe (30) George Calkeld (22no) and Elliot Weir (21) in addition to Fiztgerald’s 50 as the hosts reached 172/8 from their 50 overs Warwick’s response got off to a good start as they made 81 before losing a wicket and they hit their target with five overs to spare and with five wickets in hand Jamie Coleman top scored with 70 before he fell to Snipe (1-19 off eight overs) The other wickets were shared between Haider (2-24) and Joe Bussey (2-33) Studley remain one place above Earlswood after they lost to Water Orton by six wickets Stratford head to Solihull Blossomfield on Saturday while basement pair Studley and Earlswood go head-to-head at Washford Fields Home   News   Article The £1.6million program of improvements at Earlswood Lakes begun this week but clubs and businesses have expressed concerns about a lack of consultation and the disruption that will be caused The improvements include work on the main dam on Valley Road raising some sections of footpath and a number of other measures However the disruption that will be caused including the closure of some nearby roads and footpaths will come as a blow to some clubs trying to get back on their feet after Covid which had been planning events to mark its 60th anniversary this year will be severely impacted by the work as it will likely have to remain closed until September The improvements will not be completed until around November and some road closures will remain in place for a large part of that time Head of Project Delivery for the Canal & River Trust said: “From time to time we need to carry out repairs and maintenance to our reservoirs The reservoirs at Earlswood are 200 years old and these statutory works are necessary by law “It is important that the Trust does this work so that people can continue to use and enjoy the lakes and local waterways “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to local residents angling club and other visitors to the reservoirs “We know how important Earlswood Lakes are to local people Our aim is complete the works as efficiently and safely as possible minimising disruption to people and wildlife “Canal & River Trust ecologists have been involved in the planning of the works to ensure the impact on wildlife and the local environment is minimised “These works will ensure the reservoirs are fit for purpose and comply with the latest reservoir legislation so they can continue to provide benefits for people and wildlife for many years to come.” The lakes at Earlswood consist of three reservoirs - Terry's Pool Windmill Pool and Engine Pool - built in the early 19th century to supply water to the Stratford Canal Together they occupy 70 acres and are popular with people from across the West Midlands for walking said: “We absolutely sympathise with the need to do this at the end of the day it’s a safety issue and there are homes behind that dam but I just wish they had tried to do this work during lockdown “The other thing is we were notified of this only at the beginning of March it would have been much easier if we’d have known in January we would not have asked members for their fees and would have had more time to find them alternative places to sail There has been a financial impact because we’ve had to refund some members “It’s such a shame that it’s happening during our 60th year we did have plans to get 60 boats out on the lake at the same time “When all this happens the lakes will need policing the water level may go down to a couple of feet but there could be six feet of mud underneath that