The Blue Bell
Richard and Rob Hill have recently taken up the reins at a local pub, The Blue Bell in Hatfield. Between them they have had experience in pub management and being a chef, so with their combined skills they decided to make a go at being their own boss and applied to the brewery to become landlords.
The Blue Bell was previously just a drinking pub, so with a new business and a whole new lifestyle, the brothers felt they had to diversify to make it a success. They set about giving the pub a new image and changing it's identity by introducing food and building a wider customer base. Food is incredibly important in the pub business, especially in this financial climate and both Rob and Richard both feel that a pub cannot survive without food trade.
Following the huge success of their Sunday lunch menu, the pub has now expanded their food offer to themed nights - a curry night and a steak night. To help them stand out from the competition, the food is sourced locally and their reputation for good, home cooked food using fresh ingredients at an affordable price is growing.
Richard said: “By offering a menu using local produce we are providing quality food for our customers and also supporting the local economy by buying focal. We are now beginning to see a steady rise in our food takings.”
The two brothers approached Success Doncaster for assistance when the business plan they had submitted to the Brewery was unsuccessful. The feedback from the Brewery was that the plan was not detailed enough and they were asked to resubmit their application if they were still interested.
A specialist Success Doncaster start up business advisor came to their assistance and went through the business plan with them. After a number of intensive one-to-one sessions, Rob and Richard successfully rewrote their business plan and thanks to the support and advice were successful in obtaining a tenancy agreement with the brewery.
They now plan to benefit from the programme even further by attending a business start-up course which will provide them with the all the tips, facts, skills and knowledge they need now they are running their own business in the licensing trade.
“Our Success Doncaster business advisor was a tremendous help just when we needed it most. She continues to empower us to manage our new business and without her advice our business plan would probably have been unsuccessful a second time” continued Richard.
Rob and Richard hope to continually develop new ideas and are always open to entertainment suggestions from their customers. They currently have live entertainment, darts, pool, karaoke, large screen TV, dominoes, cards, a jam night once a month and will be starting a poker night in the near future.
Real Ale lovers take note of the Cask Marque. The Blue Bell has been awarded this as recognition of a pub that offers the best in real ale.
In response to demand, food is soon to be served seven days a week.
The Blue Bell
Manor Road
Hatfield
Doncaster
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