'Exciting plans ahead' for Staffordshire pub celebrating £1m turnaround

The formerly derelict New Inns on Kiddemore Green Road in Brewood underwent a £1 million transformation, reopening as the rejuvenated Lesters Arms gastropub and restaurant in April last year.

Prior to the investment, the pub stood empty for six years after shutting its doors in 2018. A subsequent scheme to convert the building into a five-bedroom home was refused by South Staffordshire Council in 2019, who decided the move would result in the "permanent loss of a community facility within the village".

But since the reopening, owner Billy Hutchinson says the business has gone from strength to strength having created 30 jobs in the village, with a celebration event planned for this Friday (April 4) set to celebrate an "amazing" first year.

“It has been a fantastic first year for the Lesters Arms, one which has had plenty of challenges, but ultimately has seen us become a household fixture in Staffordshire and the Black Country’s dining scene,” he said.

“This is just the start. The reviews have been amazing, and we want to continue to innovate our offer and bring different events to the bar and restaurant.

“We wanted to create something a little bit different, somewhere people can go to for a new level of personal service, imaginative dishes featuring the freshest of local ingredients and a wide selection of craft beers, ales and signature cocktails.

"I think we’ve more than delivered on this and we plan on celebrating our first birthday on Friday with live music and a big party to say thank you to everyone who has supported us."

The business is set to launch its ‘Dining Club’ offer this week - giving members the chance to enjoy an exclusive three-course monthly menu and, every quarter, a "show-stopping" 5-course meal that will allow the in-house chefs to "push the envelope" when it comes to ingredients and new dishes.

Head chef Phil Jones, who worked at La Caprice in Mayfair before heading back to the Midlands, says the pub's menu aims to take a "creative twist on the best local produce".

“We’ve created 30 jobs already since launching and the quality of the team is really impressive – there’s no doubt in my mind that this has played a big role in the consistency of our service and our food," he said.

“There’s lots of exciting plans in place for the rest of the year, including a more relaxed outdoor menu for enjoying the (hopefully) hotter weather and a new Summer Fest that will celebrate the best of local music and food.”