Ribble Valley Inns boss bullish amid £3m expansion drive

RIBBLE Valley Inns will invest more than £3m in its expansion into Cheshire, according to chief executive Wayne Chapman.

The Lancashire company, part of the Northcote Group – which includes the Michelin-starred Northcote Manor – wants to create a “cluster” of sites in east Cheshire, Mr Chapman said.

The first Cheshire site, The Nag’s Head at Haughton, near Tarporley, opens on June 9 after an extensive renovation programme at the Grade II-listed building, which dates back to 1680.

It will be Ribble Valley Inns’ first site south  of Lancashire, where it has two gastro-pubs and one each in Cumbria and Yorkshire, and the company is confident of success in the new geography.

“The business has done a great job over the last 10 years in establishing its reputation for great quality, locally-sourced food in relaxed and pleasant pubs.

“With the improvement in the economy and general confidence, we feel it is the right time to expand. Cheshire is a great location for us – it’s an affluent county and also there are also some amazing suppliers there too, the use of whom, is our point of difference.”

The company will create 35 full-time and part-time jobs at the revamped Nag’s Head, which will serve 150 covers, with room for an additional 100 in its outdoor dining space.

Mr Chapman, who lives in Cheshire, added: “As a local resident, I’m particularly passionate about this site, and all that it represents. Cheshire is a beautiful part of the world, and its provenance for excellent food and drink was central to our decision to locate here.

“Our sixth location, and our second in east Cheshire, is in the pipeline and should be open by the end of the year.”