The Brewers Arms new landlords ‘eager’ to get going

Lee Jones and Kim Boughton have moved into the Brewers Arms in Malvern ahead of taking over the pub on Saturday.

The pub has been run by volunteers since it re-opened in December following a £295,000 buyout to restore the community boozer to its former glory.

The couple have lived in the town for 18 months now and jumped at the opportunity to get involved in the pub.

Mr Jones said: “Pubs like this are few and far between.

“We looked at a couple of pubs but they weren’t for us, so we just put the idea behind us.

“Then one day, we were walking along the hills and we stumbled upon the Brewers Arms and got talking to the gentleman behind the bar who mentioned that they just so happened to be looking for tenants.

“That was only about six weeks ago, it’s all happened so quickly. We’re still pinching ourselves.”

READ MORE: Brewers Arms in West Malvern announces its new tenants

Lee and Kim with committee members Mark Haslam, Brian O’Connell, and Andrew Wood (Image: Lee Jones)

Mr Jones has eight years' experience in the industry, having ran the Chequers Inn in Fladbury before taking over the Dolphin in Bishampton, which much like his latest venture, was community owned.

The Brewers Arms was bought by a group of residents last September after Admiral Taverns announced it was looking to sell the boozer.

More than 400 investors raised a total of £400,000 and the Brewers was eventually bought for £295,000.

With this in mind, Mr Jones is keen to make the pub a hub of the community.

“The community brought this pub back from the brink, they have got a lot of passion for it,” he said.

“It was the toughest interview I have ever sat through. The committee needed to make sure they were making the right choice, and I’m certain they have.

“We are passionate about this pub already, from the moment we first walked in it felt like home.

“We want to make it a community pub, not just for the nearby area, but for all of Malvern.”

READ AGAIN: Victory for campaigners as Brewers Arms is FINALLY owned by the community

Lee Jones is looking to work with the community to give them the pub they want (Image: NQ)

Mr Jones and Miss Boughton have been moving their belongings in this week and will officially take over as landlords on Saturday, April 1.

They are planning to serve tacos to raise money for the committee.

And that certainly won’t be the only food is served at the Brewers, with Mr Jones working with local suppliers to create a new menu, as well as a takeaway service.

He said: “We want to offer a nice homecooked menu with fresh produce, homemade pies, and fish and chips.

“We don’t want it turning into a restaurant, this is still a pub for the community.

“We need to make sure that the community is put first and that we are giving the community what they want.”