LUX - Food & Drink Awards 2017 25 “Moving forward, we are very excited to have received the go ahead to do more with our large garden. We will be landscaping, adding around 60 seats and putting in fire pits to create a really beautiful space for our customers, ready for East 2018. We have recently taken a second pub; The Top Lock at, Wheelton Chorley, and we are planning a major £700,00 refurbishment to restore it with Star Pubs and Bars. Basically, we are pretty busy all round!” Pub of the Year 2017 - Blackburn The Butlers Arms is a delightful traditional country pub in the heart of the stunning village of Pleasington. We invited Mike Hales to tell us more about the venue and its future plans. Company: Butlers Arms Pub & Dining Contact: Mike Hales Contact Email:
[email protected] Address: Victoria Road, Pleasington, Blackburn, BB2 5JH, UK Phone: 01254 207233 Website: www. thebutlersarmspleasington.co.uk Despite its peaceful setting, The Butlers Arms is easily accessed from the M65 motorway network, which is just 5 minutes away. The pub serves the whole community, and its customers tend to be anyone who likes a traditional pub which serves great food. The venue attracts a diverse customer base, ranging from from dog walkers, walkers, cyclists, dining couples, families and ladies who lunch, as well as corporate clients for events. The pub is also an increasingly popular venue for weddings and special occasions. Mike explains how the firm ensures that only the best food and beverages are supplied by the team. “Here at The Butlers, we constantly strive for excellence in everything we do. We monitor our performance and customer feedback and act upon it. The team work hard to deliver quality, and we source our food locally, plus, the team know and work with our suppliers to ensure that every ingredient is of the very best quality and we know where it comes from. “In relation to drinks, The Butlers has got state of the art cellar equipment, guaranteeing consistently great beer, along with cask marque approval, and staff take huge care and attention with tor cask ales. All staff training is at the foreground of our weekly team meetings, along with professional development and ideas brain storming as a team. Team competitions motivates and enthuses the staff and helps retain them along with internal opportunities.” Mike provides us with an overview of the food and drink industry as it is currently, and discusses the major developments and challenges that have been affecting the business. He explains how The Butlers has overcome these advances, and notes that the pub is able to differentiate itself from other pubs and restaurants. “Rising costs in the food and drink industry are driving cost prices and squeezing margins in what is already a competitive market. We have turned to making our own butter, ice creams and bread, which enables us to keep prices keen for our customers. It also means we are delivering beautiful fresh products and the quality our customers want. “Additionally, we purchased our own Rare Breed cattle which graze on the lush green pastures and farms in Lancashire and Cumbria, meaning we have full traceability of the meat from field to fork. There are no cost savings for us, but it gives the Butlers a unique selling points and customers comment on its tenderness and great taste.” Following on from revealing the pub’s unique selling point, Mike explains how the staff cope working within such a competitive industry, detailing how he ensures the pub stands out from its competitors. “The Butlers is a strong brand and to keep up with competition within the local area, we have a changing menu of weekly specials, making sure there is always something new for customers to try. We also have a range of fantastic offers, such as our cow and cork offer, and seafood Fridays, 241 on Fridays from our lovely seafood menu. In terms of drinks, we have a great repertoire, including niche products like orchard thieves cider and Local Gins, i.e; Cuckoo, Batch, Defiance. “With this, everything we do is for our customers. We employ the highest calibre of staff, notably people with excellent experience and backgrounds in the catering industry, whether it be Michelin, rosette or just great a reputation. We pride ourselves on making our customers feel welcome at all times and leaving us as friends.” “Crucial to our success, we have built strong relationships with local producers and farmers to reduce food miles and ensure freshness, and use the best produce and ingredients that we can get our hands on. We make the most of seasonal products when changing our menus and creating our specials to ensure the best tasting products.” Signing off, Mike is clearly thrilled to tell us about the opportunity the pub has to expand its large garden. He talks about his other projects and other recent acquisitions that the team has made, and overall the new garden looks like a major development for The Butlers Arms. “The Butlers is a strong brand and to keep up with competition within the local area, we have a changing menu of weekly specials, making sure there is always something new for customers to try.” Butlers Arms Pub & Dining Butlers Arms Pub & Dining