Reopened Rattlesden pub will be ‘for the village’

The new owner of a Rattlesden pub has said making it a place ‘for the village’ is one of his priorities.

Tim French took over the Brewers Arms, in Lower Road, from previous managers Hawthorne Leisure in May with the intention of running it as a family-oriented pub.

Despite being new to the hospitality trade, the 41-year-old has a clear vision for the freehouse.

“Making it a pub for the village is very important to me. We have given it back to the village, and most of our customers are villagers,” he said.

To this end, Tim has transformed the pub’s former snug into a shrine to memorabilia of the pub.

“I know it meant a lot to the people of the village so they will be glad to have it back,” he said.

With its cosy restaurant, outdoor seating and allocated car park, Tim has ensured the pub is well equipped to draw in old and new customers.

“We’re just a good old fashioned pub,” he said.

“It is very family-oriented, and we go out of our way to accommodate people’s needs. We are child friendly, dog friendly, bike friendly - we are everybody friendly.”

Since its opening in June, Tim said the pub has been receiving good comments on review website Trip Advisor.

Tim is also planning to host live music events at the Brewer’s Arms, with a reunion of rock groups booked on September 5 and fancy dress Halloween party with a band on October 31.