NEW OWNERS SEE POTENTIAL IN CLOSED PUB.
Having fallen in love with the property and seeing the potential, Gary and Michelle Mackender have recently taken over The Royal Oak at Dolton. A leasehold pub, it had been closed for a short while but previously operated as a popular traditional village inn with a strong local and B&B trade.
Gary and Michelle are keen to re-establish the pub and to welcome back the local and surrounding custom. They have been busy refreshing and refurbishing the trade areas including new carpets and reupholstered furniture. They have sympathetically carried out the improvements whilst retaining the character and features of the property, which dates back to 17th Century.
One of the areas Gary and Michele are eager to develop is the food. They have taken on local award winning chef Karl Partrigdge who has recently won a catering competition and a trip to Switzerland. Along with Karl, they have introduced a new hearty traditional evening menu with Karl producing a selection of chefs specials. All of the food is home cooked and they are proud to say they do not use a microwave to heat the meals. As the warmer months arrive they will be extending the catering to also offer a lunchtime menu.
Looking ahead to the future Gary and Michelle are refurbishing the 4/5 letting rooms, which have always proved popular with fishermen using the nearby Stafford Moor Fisheries. They are also redecorating the outside and landscaping the rear trade garden to provide a traditional country garden atmosphere, along with enhancing the front of the property and the trade areas to highlight the property.
The inn currently has a skittles team but Gary and Michelle are looking to expand the sports team including skittles, pool and mens and ladies darts teams. They are making good use of the function room which is already booked with private functions and in the future they are looking at charity events and monthly craft trade classes.
The Royal Oak is a substantial property set in the centre of Dolton among the rolling Devon countryside. A Grade II Listed property it has various modern additions and provides substantial trade, private and letting accommodation. The trade areas provide a main bar, snug and function room providing 70 plus covers, as well as a pool room and well equipped catering kitchen. The first floor provides private and letting accommodation with 4/5 letting rooms (one en-suite), a shower room and bathroom. The private accommodation offers 4 bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge and domestic kitchen. Outside there are various stores, a front forecourt, rear trade garden and parking for 4/5 vehicles.
Stonesmith agreed the sale on a new 15 year lease off an asking price of £28,500.
