Birthday celebrations
After a year in the job, the Appletree Inn's managers have much to celebrate, having more than doubled turnover at the village pub with their improved food offer. Sara Guild reports.
Last Friday night Melanie Thornton and TJ Drew kicked up their heels and celebrated their first year as managers of the Appletree Country Inn by closing to the public and offering Champagne, nibbles and fireworks to 200 invited customers, suppliers, family and friends.
"We wanted to say thank you to all those who had helped make our first year a success," says Thornton.
When the pair took over in April 2001 turnover was £8,134 for the month, with £3,200 of that in liquor sales. In February the pair nearly equalled December's £21,400 turnover, with £21,272 in revenue. Of that, £15,484 was from food sales. The covers served in February totalled 1,083 - the most for the pub since the pair took over.
"February was amazing - as good as December. I don't know where they're all coming from," laughs Thornton.
But she does really. Valentine's Day helped boost the month, with the Thursday, Friday and Saturday all fully booked. March looks set to continue the boom, with the 40-seat pub doing 110 covers at lunch on Mother's Day alone.
Easter was largely booked up by the middle of March, and Thornton is seeing a trend in booking patterns. "Regulars know they need to book three or four weeks in advance for a Saturday night. And if someone calls and we're full, we suggest they are more likely to get in on Fridays," she says.
As a result, Friday evening is now strong in food sales as well as bar sales. Meanwhile, during the day the lunch trade has benefited from positive reviews in the local press.
Thornton is currently advertising for two chefs to assist Drew and sous chef Iain McGrain. On a Wednesday McGrain is off, and two weeks ago 29 people walked in between 12.10pm and 12.30pm.
"TJ was not best pleased, and we even told some of them they'd have to wait an hour for food because he was on his own, and they just smiled and said, ‘That's OK'," says Thornton.
The pub's location in a small village means those who drive some distance are there for the afternoon. This does mean an increase in spend, as they order more wine or extra coffees, but it also means Thornton is sometimes left with only half-an-hour's break between the last diners leaving from lunch and needing to reopen for the evening.
Mondays are also busy - often with those in the trade who have been following the Appletree as an Adopted Business.
"Because we open on a Monday when most people close, we often find we've got a variety of proprietors and managers in here at the same time. I sometimes wonder why we do this to ourselves."
But she's glad they're interested and knows many of them will recommend the Appletree Inn.
With their first year behind them, Drew and Thornton are proud of what they've achieved, but are looking forward to the coming months, when the fields at the back of the pub will start to sprout produce for use in the kitchens and Drew can concentrate on a new spring menu for May.
Next visit: 9 May
Appletree Country Inn
Marton, North Yorkshire
Tel: 01751 431457
Web site: www.appletreeinn.co.uk
Managers: Melanie Thornton and TJ Drew
Seats: 40
February figures
Food sales: £15,484 (73%)
Wet sales: £5,788 (27%)
Food and wet costs: £5,827
Wages: £6,711
Covers: 1,083
Average spend per head: £23
The story so far
One year ago Melanie Thornton and chef TJ Drew took on the management of the Appletree Country Inn in Marton, North Yorkshire, for owner Orchard Inns. In that time they've boosted turnover from £8,134 in their first month to £21,272 in February this year.
Drew's food has attracted widespread praise, and Thornton's service-orientated front of house has kept the customers coming back.
