Cricket star reveals five-year plan to grow hospitality business
Nottinghamshire’s retired cricket star, Stuart Broad, has unveiled his plans to open five more pubs over the next five years.
Broad has told the BBC that he is channelling his efforts into growing his hospitality business, a transition he began contemplating about a decade ago.
In line with his new career path, he has partnered with accounting software firm Sage for a competition aimed at helping 10 small businesses share a £50,000 prize.
Broad announced his retirement from cricket during the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia last summer. Since then, he has focused on the pub industry through his firm The Cat and Wickets Pub Company
Together with former England cricketer Harry Gurney, Broad co-owns two pubs: the Tap & Run in Nottinghamshire and The Griffin Inn in Leicestershire.
The duo is targeting the opening of five additional pubs over the next five years and have secured investment from Lee Cash, co-founder of Peach Pubs, to support their expansion efforts.
Recently Broad and Gurney’s popular Griffin Inn in Swithland, Leicestershire reopened its doors, in a move which created 20 new jobs.
The pair invested £1m into an extensive renovation of the pub, in conjunction with Everards.
The kitchen has been overhauled to double its existing size and will include fully electric equipment. The Old Stables has transformed into an additional dining space within the gastro pub, creating 80 more covers. Another 30 covers have been created in the courtyard.
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 Griffin Inn. The renovations are looking fantastic already, and I can’t wait to unveil our hard work to the public at the end of March.”
Broad added: “The team has worked incredibly hard to bring our vision to life, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to make this idyllic countryside spot even more beautiful. The Griffin Inn is the heart of the community, and Harry and I are committed to nurturing it and helping it evolve while remaining true to its essence. We can’t wait to reopen the doors in March.”
