Shepperton licensees take on second of ten planned Star Pubs & Bars sites

A group of publicans from Shepperton have announced they have taken on the second pub of their plans to operate a 10-pub group of Star Pubs & Bars sites.

Steve Orme and James Thomson from the Red Lion in Shepperton, have taken on The Golden Grove on St Ann’s Hill, Chertsey which opened this week following a £70,000 upgrade.

Previously run as an Italian restaurant and bar, the duo have refocused the business, turning it back into a country pub serving home-cooked food, creating 20 new jobs in the process.

As part of the refurbishment the bar has been extended to create more space for customers to sit on barstools, along with a 40-cover drinking and dining area as well as a separate dining area seating 60 with table service.

Outside, extra parking has been created, with the pub garden providing alfresco seating for 150, jumbo umbrellas and an outdoor bar. Future plans include enhancing the children’s play area with a new large wendy house full of blackboards and chalk to encourage children to use their imagination as well as a new vegetable and herb garden which will supply the pub kitchen.

The menu is based on “modern British fayre”, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Food will be served all day including scotch eggs, pork scratchings and even home-made dog snacks.

Publican Orme, said: “The Golden Grove is gorgeous looking and in a great location in St Ann’s. It has already benefited from a major investment a few years ago. What it needed was the heart and soul being put back into it to create a pub which people in the area would love.

“Our plan is to build a pub group of 10 pubs in 10 years. We already have another one lined up with Star for later in the year as our experience has been that they are genuinely a good bunch to work with and they want us to succeed.”

Star Pubs & Bars regional operations director, Dugald Macer, said: “We’re delighted that James and Steve have taken on The Golden Grove. They are experienced operators who have been hugely successful at The Red Lion where the food, drinks and service they offer are all done to an exceptionally high standard.

“The Golden Grove is in a great location at the bottom of St Ann’s Hill Park and Nature Trail making it a perfect destination for dog walkers, walkers and cyclists on top of the many residents I feel sure will be beating a path to its door now James and Steve have repositioned it. We wish them the best of luck with this new venture.”