Ei revives Winscombe pub with £185,000 investment

Ei Publican Partnerships, the leased and tenanted division of pub company Ei Group, have revitalised the Churchill Inn, Winscombe, near Bristol, following a substantial £185,000 investment. Ei worked with the pub’s managers local mother and son duo, Berny O’Reilly and Russell Wakefield, for the project. As well as running the Churchill Inn, O’Reilly also operates a successful guest house in Weston-Super-Mare and has years of experience within the hospitality sector. In keeping with this approach, the new look Churchill Inn will be run as a family business, with Wakefield overseeing front of house operations and O’Reilly heading up the kitchen. The extensive refurbishment, funded by Ei Publican Partnerships, forms part of a capital investment programme of c£80m per year, that the group continues to make into its pub estate for the benefit of communities across the country. The Churchill Inn has received major structural work and external decoration to both the main pub building and the beer garden. This includes a new decking that sweeps round the side of the pub, new furniture, back bar, roof, toilets, kitchen and a revamped car park. In addition to this original features, such as the floor, have been updated. Wakefield said: “Berny and I are hugely excited to have the opportunity to put life back into this pub and revive it as a community venue that welcomes both locals and visitors to the area. We have great love for this pub and are confident that with our knowledge of the local market and expertise in running hospitality businesses, that the Churchill Inn will once again be a great success. “Ei Publican Partnerships has been exceptionally supportive throughout this process and went above and beyond for the pub, renovating much more of the site than was in the initial plan. It’s great to have their ongoing support as we look forward to making the Churchill Inn a great local pub.” Supporting the refurbishment, the pub has introduced a new menu and food offer, which includes a different homemade specialty dish every day of the week, made from locally sourced ingredients. The Churchill Inn will also host community events with recent events including the local primary school’s disco. Ei Publican Partnerships regional manager, Isabelle Whitehouse, added: “This is a great site for both local and passing trade. Russell and Berny have a distinguished track record within the local hospitality scene and they are an excellent team. We’re committed to operating and supporting great pubs in the heart of their local communities and look forward to seeing the Churchill Inn flourish.”