Punch to launch food-led village pub concept

It is hoped that the venues under the Village Pub & Kitchen brand will become a hub for local communities, with additional footfall driven by ‘extensive’ brunch, lunch, dinner and grazing options.

Drinks will include a premium selection of ales, keg beers, wines, spirits and fresh coffee served in association with Illy.

Punch said the new sites would be set apart by their strong focus on customer service based on ‘warmth and authenticity’.

The Mall in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire will be the first of the new pubs to open following a refurbishment to install a real fire, exposed brickwork and modernised kitchen.

The second site will be The Malt Shovel in Lichfield, with further openings planned once Punch has refined the concept.

Punch development director David Wigham, said: “Our aim is to create pubs which village residents will be proud to call their local and to which people will be prepared to travel for the hospitality on offer.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to deliver outstanding hospitality in some great British pubs. We have a significant number of pubs across our estate which could fit the Village Pub & Kitchen concept in due course.”

Punch’s new food-focus comes after it launched a partnership with Just Eat​ to allow customers to order home-delivery of its pub meals in Yorkshire.