England cricketers’ gastropub to relaunch following tragic blaze

The Tap & Run – the premium gastropub near Melton Mowbray gutted by fire in June 2022 – is set to reopen to the public next month.

The boozer in Upper Broughton, part of The Cat & Wickets Pub Company owned by England cricket stars Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad, went up in flames last summer after laundry ignited in a tumble dryer in the early hours of the morning.

It will now reopen for business on Monday 26 June following the £1.3m restoration of the property.

The majority of the original Tap and Run team will return to run the venue, led by managers Jack Whitehead, Anna Mooney and Laura Symington.

Gurney, managing director of The Cat & Wickets Pub Company, said: “We are really looking forward to opening our doors once again and welcoming guests back to the Tap & Run.

“A large team of people have worked really hard on the pub’s restoration and renovation. While it was devastating to have to close our doors due to the fire, it has given us an unexpected opportunity to make some improvements which we know our customers will be delighted with.”

Broad added: “The pub was performing really well when we had to unfortunately close our doors. We are so excited to get back to doing what we do best – delivering outstanding customer service.”

The Tap & Run was named Leicestershire Pub of the Year in 2021.

Cat & Wickets director Avril Gurney said: “Guests can expect a fresh look and feel to the pub. The layout is similar to before, but with a more spacious bar area due to the reduced size of the bar. This allows for some more casual dining and drinking space. Additional fixed seating provides more comfortable dining spaces throughout the pub.”

Interior designers at Sarum Design were enlisted to give the Tap & Run a new look and feel ahead of its relaunch.