The Railway Lowdham was given a resounding thumbs up by locals when it opened following a £400k investment by Star Pubs & Bars and new licensees, Mark Osborne and David Hage of The Secret Pub Company.
The pub, which had been closed since the start of the year, reopened as a family friendly village pub with a great food offer. One of the Secret Pub Company directors is Mark Osborne, who was head chef at Harts and Café Bleu, Newark for eight years during which time it won the Best Out of Town Restaurant in the Nottingham restaurant Awards for five consecutive years.
David Hage, director of the Secret Pub Company, has 25 years’ experience in hospitality running many large venues. He said: "I know The Railway of old so when it came up for lease, leapt at the opportunity to take it on. We could see it had real potential.
“The positive feedback and from villagers has been overwhelming. They keep thanking us for creating such a great local. It’s something they’ve been wanting for a long time. We’ve been as busy at the start of the working week, as we were over the weekend. Our forecasts have been blown out of the water.”
Investment was spent on creating a distinct interior with areas styled to reflect different moods. Included are a seating area different types of comfortable chair and a log burning stove and a locals’ bar. A 90-seater dining space features a unique floor-to-ceiling pass enabling diners to see into the kitchen without the accompanying sounds and smells.
Outside, there is a new elevated terrace with teak tables and chairs to provide alfresco drinking and dining for 70. Great play equipment has been installed to keep children entertained in the large beer garden.
The Railway is open from 10am for barista style coffee, homemade cakes and pastries. A unique coffee blend has been created for The Railway by local Nottingham coffee roaster, Stewarts of Trent Bridge. The pub offers sandwiches as well as a set lunch and evening meals.
The menu features freshly cooked British cuisine with traditional pub dishes simply done. Examples of dishes include: Wild Mushrooms on Toast with Comfit Garlic, Truffle, Shaved Pecorino; Braised Shoulder of Lamb, Creamed Potato, Roast Root Vegetables and Almond Pesto and the all-time favourite, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Caramel Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream. Classic children's dishes are on offer as well as half portions of adult dishes, all of which are freshly cooked.
The Railway offers a choice of five hand-pulled ales and craft lagers as well as a selection of exclusive, award winning wines from House of Townend, family wine merchants.
As part of the refurbishment, HEINEKEN installed a HEINEKEN Smart Dispense system, which produces consistent superior quality beer and cider.
David Pritchard, operations director for Star Pubs & Bars, said: “HEINEKEN is a passionate supporter of great pubs so we’re pleased our investment in The Railway is enabling David and Mark to create a fabulous family pub that the village is clearly already proud of. They’ve a wealth of hospitality experience and local knowledge so knew what people in the area wanted.”
