Village pub to undergo £250,000 renovation

Businessman Paul McSorley has bought The Millstone at Barnack, which closed last summer, and is now looking forward to creating a “destination pub” which will still appeal to locals.

Paul, from Stamford, says he has never held any ambition to own a pub - put on the market by brewery Everards for £375,000 - but was swayed by the feeling in the village, where he has plenty of friends.

“A friend in the village mentioned it and I went along to have a look, initially as a development opportunity,” he said.”But when I saw it I thought it seemed such a waste, such a shame for the village to lose its only pub. I thought if something wasn’t done now then it wouldn’t happen.

“It was more heart than head but it is a lovely building, the only pub in a big village and a viable business proposition,” added Paul, who will be actively involved in the business though it will be run by people with experience in hospitality.

Paul has a target reopening date of June 4 but admits that everything needs to fall into place perfectly over the next four months which will see new electrics, plumbing, flooring, windows, doors and a makeover as he “strips it out and starts again” on the £250,000 project over the next 18 or 19 weeks.

“If it is going to be done then now is the time to do it,” he said, describing the place as having a “nice feel, but has flaws.”

“I think people need to come in to a pub through the front door, not walking in past the toilets, so we will open that up.

“And the bar needs to work as a bar - it is too small, so we will knock through into the back room to create more space.

“The courtyard is nice but it could be amazing with better seating and lighting and the levels sorting out, getting rid of those concrete slabs.”

Paul says he also plans to improve access to the rear car park and the entrance to the pub from there, adding: “We are not talking about massive changes but they will make a massive difference.”

The parish council launched a “Save The Millstone” campaign when it closed last year, something not lost on the new owner.

“I have had lots of practical support and advice, not just good wishes from people in the village,” said Paul, who also has one eye on converting a barn into a country store (there is no shop) as a future project once the pub is completed and open.

“I would like The Millstone to become a destination pub known for its ambiance and nice food and drink,” he said, “but I also recognise the need to balance that with people in the village still considering it as their local.”

Recruitment will start soon. Anyone interested can contact Paul at [email protected]