Cozy Pubs continues Essex expansion
The Grade-II listed coaching inn is the third pub taken on by Cozy Pubs, which recently outlined plans to open 10 venues in the next five years. The venue will be restored to its former glory as part of a £1.75m deal.
“This is a gem of a site and we’re over the moon to have got it,” said Cozy Pubs Director, Timothy Doyle. “It’s a superb old coaching inn with its original 18th century façade and a mix of Georgian and Tudor-style architecture, that’s steeped in history.
“In latter years, the place has suffered from under-investment, been through a series of owners and is now in dire need of some TLC. That’s just what we’ll be giving it, as well as bringing a capable and very experienced pair of hands, to safeguard its future for the town.
Work will begin in earnest later this month on The Saracens Head's sympathetic refurbishment; to create 31 en-suite boutique bedrooms, a more spacious bar and 78-cover restaurant and two function rooms catering for 70 and 30 guests respectively.
New food offer
The Saracens Head Hotel will be given a fresh new look throughout with soft, neutral shades and plenty of natural materials to create a stylish but welcoming interior that’s perfectly in tune with the history of the building.
Cozy will also be introducing a completely new food offer based on home-cooked dishes made with fresh, seasonal and local ingredients including Denham Estate venison from Bury St Edmunds; Blythburgh Free-range pork from Suffolk and ice cream from The Saffron Ice Cream Company in North-West Essex.
On the bar will be selection of real ales and premium lagers and ciders including Marston’s Pedigree, Hobgoblin, Peroni and Budweiser Budvar. The wine list will feature a range available by the glass, carafe and bottle. Guests will be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout and make use of a rear sun terrace which has space for a further 30 covers.
Cozy Pubs has have similarly transformed the fortunes of two other historic pubs in the county; The Eight Bells in Saffron Walden and The Cricketers Arms in Rickling Green, near Stansted. The company was co-founded by Leanne Langman and partner Paul Cutsforth – the former Orchid Pub Company operations director.
