A Country Tale as the King’s Head Sends Out a Message of Hope

Posted by Sidney Phillips on 9th June 2021 -

However, this is a narrative we at Sidney Phillips struggle to subscribe to - and there are very good reasons for this. First, there are the increasing number of enquiries we are getting from those who still believe in pubs as businesses. But there is one pub that is an exemplar of an emerging post-lockdown feeling of optimism in the licensed property market that gives hope to all those of us who haven't (just yet) given up on the institution of the British pub. Things would appear to more resilient than some would have you believe.

Herefordshire is Sidney Phillips' home turf. As a county, it's sometimes referred to as the 'forgotten shire'. It has neither large population centres or a significant tourist footfall. Hardly fertile territory for running a pub business there one might think. But you'd be wrong, very wrong indeed. The recent sale by Sidney Phillips of the King's Head at Docklow, near Leominster, stands in blatant defiance against all the current lazy chatter of gloom and doom. An isolated roadside inn, in a small rural and dispersed community, it had been closed for five long years before new freehold owners Paul & Debra English arrived to breath life back into the place in April 2021. All the negative rumblings certainly hadn't deterred them from putting their money where their mouths are.

And Paul & Debra are no newbies to the trade: they're second generation publicans with long years of experience of owning and running pubs in Kent and East Sussex under their belts. Certainly not what you'd call dreamers. Talking to them, it's becomes quite apparent they've gone into their new venture with their eyes wide open.

The motivation for them to relocate to Herefordshire was the pub itself, as opposed to being seduced by the bucolic delights of the countryside about – fine vistas of which surround the King's Head on all sides. It was the pub that Paul fell for at first sight; he says could see the potential from the outset. And hardly had he and Debra got the keys, than work was well in train to upgrade the facilities. An army of trades might easily have been confused with a film shoot for BBC TV's “DIY SOS” programme, such has been the level of activity. One aspect that is going to be a winning USP is the pub's garden. It offers views that even Wordsworth might have eulogised about in another life, that is assuming he could have be distracted away from his pint.

Paul and Debra see the King's Head being their last big project before they retire. But, make no mistake, this is no 'lifestyle business' where they're content to sale at half speed before hanging up their bar towels. Their son, Ashley (ably supported by his fiance, Aino) have been taken under their wings as their anointed proteges, and both are now firmly ear-marked to become the third generation of publicans in the English family. Things are looking up for the longer term too.

It is probably fair to say that the King's Head – on paper at least – presented an unpromising resume to the potential pub-buyer. Yet, the inescapable fact is that it is now up and running as a business, and doing very nicely, thank you. This must give real heart to those who cherish the institution of the British pub in all its variety. If there is a market for a pub like this, then wherever you are and whatever your pub's location and circumstances, the message for those looking to sell that is coming loud and clear from a reinvigorated King's Head is one of real hope and optimism.

For further information about pubs for sale or how to buy a business, please contact Sidney Phillips on 01981 250333 or please click here.