Midlands & East Anglia Premier Hospitality

Brunning & Price: The Red Lion

The Red Lion, Longdon Green, Cannock Chase
Written by Roma Publications

The Red Lion, Longdon Green, Cannock Chase

Pub developers Brunning & Price have recently completed the renovation of The Red Lion, located in the picturesque village of Longdon Green, between Lichfield and Rugeley on the edge of Cannock Chase.

Before Brunning & Price became involved with The Red Lion the venue was a small village pub experiencing the classic problems associated with revolving door tenants. Due to a plethora of short term owners the venue had not been able to provide a well rounded offer to the local community for 12 years. Brunning & Price were eager to revamp the venue and purchased the site, as well as additional land, and following numerous meetings with local residents and the parish council set about work to renovate the venue.

Premier Hospitality caught up with Graham Price, co-founder of Brunning & Price, to find out more about the recently renovated venue. Graham said:

“The land we have acquired lies on a conservation area, so we spoke to planners and conservation officers to ensure we retained the charming small brick built village pub at the heart of the site, but also extended it substantially to offer a decent pub with decent food.

“We have added on a brand new commercial kitchen, rebuilt a new garden room where the old dance hut used to be and generally extended the property to give it a new lease of life. We feel we have handled the renovation sensitively so the extension sits nicely to the village green that it abuts. We think the new venue will be popular in the area and will provide the local community with a great meeting place.”

The Red Lion, Longdon Green, Cannock Chase

IB Construction acted as the main contractor during the project working alongside in house designers at Brunning & Price to revamp the old village pub. The original core building now links to a new weatherboard timber clad building which makes up the main part of the extension. To the rear of the extension a large courtyard space has been created, as well as an L shaped terrace which backs onto the impressive new commercial kitchen.

The original pub has still retained a small arts and crafts feel and the courtyard remains true to its original status comprising the original brick paving stones which have simply been relayed. The Garden Room forms another part of the renovation and now boasts grand exposed metal ties and trusses in the ceiling, oak windows, antique furniture, as well as modern chandeliers and a feature fireplace located in the centre of the room. This room offers lovely views of the green as well as overlooking the terrace.

Since the renovation the venue now offers 140 covers, as well as an array of seats for those simply fancying a few beverages.

Graham said that when he met with the Parish Council he was only happy to go ahead with the renovation if local people were on board. He added:

“As a company we do not see the point of forcing yourself on a location that does not want you. We appeal to local people and are keen for our pubs to sit comfortably in the communities they serve.”

Graham continues to work alongside Brunning & Price’s Managing Director Mary Willcock to continue developing a pipeline of pubs nationwide. Graham said the firm is able to adapt to various different types of projects because of its flexibility and eagerness to create venues that suit their location. The firm is currently the middle of converting an old village hall in Bostock Green, Northwich in a bid to create another unique venue to add to their portfolio.

The Red Lion, Longdon Green, Cannock Chase

With regards to Brunning & Price’s philosophy of pub developing Graham added:

“Every building needs a different treatment but our overall offering of good food, relaxed service, cask ales and good gardens remains the same in every venue we open and we continue to develop a great a selection of pubs appealing to communities nationwide.”

Brunning and Price

Brunning and Price are a group of pub restaurants mainly based in the North West of England and North Wales, with a substantial branch of the family in the South. Each pub has been designed to have its own style and flavor; although good cask beers, freshly cooked food, decent and affordable wine and a good shelf of malt whiskies will be found at all venues regardless of their location.

The pub developers pride themselves on creating informal places suited for guests who have a passion to meet, eat, drink and talk in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Brunning and Price now have over 40 venues throughout the UK.

IB Construction Ltd

IB Construction Ltd specialise in the refurbishment, extension and construction of public houses and restaurants. The company has been in operation since 1959 and has vast expertise in working on Grade I and Grade II Listed buildings, as well as new build public houses and restaurants.

Over the past 55 years IB Construction has worked with many leading breweries and restaurant chains throughout the UK, as well as a number of newly established enterprises. Most recently IB Construction Ltd was the main contractor on The Red Lion for Brunning & Price.

The Red Lion, Longdon Green, Cannock Chase

Working on The Red Lion, IB Construction Ltd were involved from the point of acquisition, into the design phase and through to completion. IB Construction Ltd was directly responsible for the programming and coordination of all suppliers during the construction to deliver the project to the client’s highest standards.

IB Construction Ltd Managing Director, Peter Lewis, said:

“IB Construction Ltd is very proud to be working with Brunning & Price. We have a huge sense of satisfaction and pride right the way through our team to be part of this project, which has taken a struggling village pub and firmly re-established it as a place where people will enjoy good times for years to come.

“The rebirth of the village pub has provided employment to many local trades people during the construction works, whilst creating future job opportunities with Brunning & Price within the community.”

Peter added:

“IB Construction Ltd has built a reputation within the industry of being able to deliver client demands and expectations within the retail restaurant and public house sector. We pride ourselves in the fact that we are known to the industry as the market leaders in pub refurbishment from new build to refurbishments.”

 

 

About the author

Roma Publications