Congleton locals are rejoicing following the Castle Inn pub’s reopening.
The popular pub, which lies in the rural outskirts of Congleton, reopened this February following a joint circa. £160k investment with independent pub company Punch Pubs & Co.
Opening with a fresh new look, the pub has been revived under new management as husband-and-wife team, Paul and Karen Brown, have stepped-in to bring back the adored local.
No strangers to the industry, Paul and Karen were at the helm of a nearby pub for over a decade but are now keen to put the Castle Inn firmly back on the map and at the heart of its community again.
Paul said: “We were very much looking forward to reopening the Castle Inn, and after a busy Christmas in our last pub, we were excited to begin our new venture.
“We’ve had some excellent feedback so far and the response we’ve had online has been overwhelming. Everyone has been so supportive!”
New faces behind the bar aren’t the only changes at the Castle Inn. As part of the investment with Punch Pubs, the 200-year-old venue has undergone a small transformation which includes new ceilings and flooring, as well as a revamp throughout.
The pub also boasts a generous outdoor space which overlooks Congleton Golf Club, and the area has been given a refresh with ample seating and facilities for guests to enjoy during the warmer months.
Keen to protect the pub’s already glowing reputation, the team at the Castle Inn reached out to the community via social media, and asked for recommendations of what their customers would like to see.
Paul said: “It was important for us to understand what our guests’ needs were. The pub has been a popular spot within Congleton for many years, and we want to be the place where they return and make many more happy memories. We’ve listened and taken their feedback on board.”
The Castle Inn will cater to various customers, from those dining-in with their families, to dog walkers, hikers or guests who are simply stopping by for a drink, or two.
With a solid reputation for its former food offerings, the team will ensure the Castle Inn withholds its culinary status by providing a home-cooked menu made from locally sourced produce that caters to everybody’s needs. This will consist of traditional pub classics, lunch specials and bar nibbles, in addition to the Sunday Roast, which is making a return due to popular demand.
Front of house, the team will be taking centre stage serving up a range of alcoholic and soft drinks from traditional and cask ales to spirits, wines, and ciders.
Guests can also look forward to the introduction of regular entertainment, as the husband-and-wife duo hope to launch live acoustic sessions later this year.
News of the Castle Inn’s reopening has already caused a stir online, with hundreds of good luck messages and well wishes shared.
One member of the public declared: “Hallelujah, this pub has enormous potential. I’m so glad the Castle has reopened.”
Whilst another added: “Great news, we love it there. I proposed to my wife here in 2019. Looking forward to visiting again soon.”
Punch Pubs & Co Operations Manager Harry Bourne said: “I’m really excited to be working with Paul and Karen and getting the Castle back open and thriving at the heart of the community. Paul and Karen are fantastic operators with a breadth of experience in the industry. I’m looking forwards to working closely with them to see how far we can really take this fantastic pub.”
With big shoes to fill, Paul, Karen and the rest of the team at the Castle are more than prepared for their next venture and are ready to help create and be a part of many more happy memories in the future.
The reopening of the Castle Inn has also generated new employment within the area, and Publicans Paul and Karen are currently interviewing for 10 new roles at the pub.
All information can be found on the Castle Inn’s social media channels.
