Last week I met with Rupert Reeves, the Operations Manager of Fireside Inns and Gemma, the interior designer to discuss the refurbishment and reopening of the Blue Boar. The refurbishment work is first class, the pricing point is about right for Ludlow town centre and there is a commitment to support community activities. It will sell local beers. The current target for reopening is 16 October. It could be earlier if work is complete and staff are in place.
I was openly sceptical of Punch Taverns taking back one of Ludlow’s most popular pubs into its own management having been to a lot of Punch pubs and left muttering “never again”. Fireside Inns is refreshingly different.
There has been a major effort on interior design with historic colour palettes. All furniture old and refurbished. Pictures adorn the walls, specially to the left as you walk in the door. Henry VIII has pride of place to the right. Not convinced by the candles on the tables though. Too twee for me and I am not sure they are practical in a busy pub.
The bar looks no different with real ale pumps. Local brews will be served. There are the usual national and international lagers and cider for those who must.
The room upstairs still has a cinema screen and the intention is to continue with the film club and show independent films. Community activities in the pub will continue as before.
Sunday lunch is expected to be £17, which is a midpoint for Ludlow Sunday dining. A large glass of white wine will be under £9, again about average. In other words, not London prices.
It is not the Blue Boar of old but I hope it will succeed.
The photographs below can be reproduced by the media citing the “The Blue Boar Inn, Ludlow”.
Hmm… knicknackery on the walls is verging on the twee, but could have been a lot worse. I’ll give it a try.
Agree. Can’t see much pictorially about blue boars, but there was only one picture before. Don’t like the candles, half the size might be an improvement. I had hoped for some sort of discoveries, but they don’t seem to have done much more than a coat of paint etc. Glad they are keeping the beer and cinema etc. Could have been much worse. Where did all the money go I wonder?