The Plough in Prestbury will undergo an exciting £240k transformation – enhancing its charm and deepening its community appeal.
The thriving community pub, which sits at the heart of the village, will temporarily close its garden room and outdoor space, to make way for a major external transformation. The generous outdoor space will be completely reimagined – bringing a fresh new look that stays true to the character and charm the pub has long been known for.
Outside, a brand-new building – designed to complement the Grade II listed pub – will feature bifold doors, timber screens, stylish vinyl flooring and ambient lighting. The bright, airy space will seamlessly connect to the outdoors and existing garden room, with resin pathways, patio paving and festoon lighting creating a magical and warm atmosphere across the pub’s acre-wide green space.
To top it off, new furniture, planting and decorations will make this a welcoming haven for guests to gather, relax and soak up the vibe, and there’s even a new summer house joining the scene too.
Award-winning Publicans, Emma and Paul Gibbon, have been at the helm of the thriving community pub for eight years, and within that time have created a stunning beer garden complete with dining areas, floral displays, a children’s playground and bowls green. Known for their family-friendly events and unwavering commitment to their guests, they’ve built a pub that truly feels like home.
Emma shared: “Paul and I are both really excited about this investment for several reasons. We pride ourselves on the community and family-friendly events we host throughout the year, but our current format leaves us having to turn guests away in the winter, because the space can’t always accommodate the typical British weather!
“Now, thanks to this incredible investment by Punch, not only will we be able to welcome more people year-round, but we’ll also be able to run multiple events at the same time – something we’ve never been able to do before!”
Crowned Punch Pubs’ Publicans of the Year in 2023, Emma and Paul continue to set the standard for what a great pub should be – collaborative, community-driven, and full of heart. Their ambitions have inspired many other Publicans across Punch’s pub estate, and further afield, receiving numerous accolades for their dedication to creating a pub that everyone feels at home in.
Emma continued: “One of the things we’re especially excited about is how much more accessible our newly transformed garden will be. The outdoor space has always been a bit tricky to navigate, with uneven ground and gravel making it difficult for some guests. But thanks to the planned improvements, the surface will be levelled out – making it welcoming and usable for everyone, whatever the occasion!”
Punch Pubs & Co Head of Operations, Andy Wilkinson, added: “Although slightly delayed while we appointed an archaeologist to carry out their findings, we’re thrilled to confirm that we’ll be investing in this fantastic pub – securing its future while preserving its history and character.
“The Plough enjoys incredible support from its locals, thanks to Emma and Paul’s passion, innovation, and dedication to their guests, and I can’t wait to see these changes come to life.”
Emma added: “Our local community has always been at the heart of everything we do, so I’m really confident that with the additional space, we’ll be able to bring in new seasonal team members throughout the winter months. It’s typically a quieter time when we scale back to manage overheads, but this investment means we can keep momentum going – and create more opportunities for local employment too.”
While things remain business as usual inside the pub, Emma and Paul are keen to keep guests in the loop by sharing updates on the outdoor transformation and its progress via their social channels. They’ve already announced a packed calendar of events for Halloween, Bonfire Night, and beyond – ensuring there’s plenty to look forward to, both inside and out.