Simon Rogan acquires local pub in Cartmel
Great British Menu star Simon Rogan is expanding his restaurant business in Cartmel, Cumbria, after acquiring the local village pub.
Rogan, who runs the Michelin-starred L'Enclume and the more informal Rogan & Co in Cartmel, as well as Roganic in London, has taken over the leasehold of the Pig & Whistle.
"It's one of four pubs in the village and my local," Rogan said. "It has lots of charm, it's small and quaint and when it came up for grabs we felt we had to have it."
Located on the edge of the village, the Pig & Whistle, which is owned by the Robinsons Brewery, has seating for 50 inside, as well as a large south-facing garden overlooking the Cartmel valley and mountains.
Rogan will close the pub for a mild refurbishment, giving it a new lick of paint, new carpets and a new bar area and will reopen it on 12 October. He added that, come spring next year, he will add a conservatory overlooking the garden.
Rogan plans to keep the menus simple, local and traditional, with an emphasis on Cumbrian produce and artisan ales. "It will be home-cooked, gutsy food with Cumbrian flair," he explained. "We've always wanted to do that kind of food and tried it with Rogan & Company but because its surroundings were too plush it didn't really work there."
Rogan's L'Enclume restaurant was awarded a perfect 10 in the 2013 Good Food Guide last month.
Simon Rogan's L'Enclume scores 10/10 in the Good Food Guide >>
Michelin-starred Simon Rogan to launch London restaurant >>
Simon Rogan opens second restaurant in the Lake District >>
By Kerstin Kühn
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