Regulars shocked by Stockton Brook pub's Italian job
AN AWARD-WINNING pub and restaurant has closed its doors and will be replaced with an Italian eatery.
Former regulars of The Hollybush in Stockton Brook admit they have been left surprised at the sudden closure of the venue.
-
PLANS: The Hollybush.
But a refurbishment has now been carried out at the Stanley Road property, ahead of Marco Marco opening its doors on Friday.
It will be the first time the restaurant chain has ventured into Staffordshire, with its other three venues based across Cheshire.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The company's latest restaurant will be able to host 114 diners and will also have a 50-seat bar and pub area. It will serve Italian cuisine, including tapas.
Former Hollybush customers say they will be keen to try out the new venue.
Jon Drew, aged 29, from Baddeley Green, who works as an electrician, said: "The Hollybush was a nice pub that was quite stylish and modern.
"I will try out the new restaurant as it sounds like the sort of place that I would go to. It will be a good addition to the area."
The Hollybush, a member of the Taste of Staffordshire scheme, started out as a traditional local pub and restaurant before being taken over by the Harvester chain in 1997.
It came under new management in 2005 and was dramatically overhauled as a modern pub and restaurant.
Kim Otter, aged 27, from Milton, held her wedding celebrations at the Hollybush this year.
The former Endon High School pupil said: "I can't believe the Hollybush has shut. The food and service for our wedding was great.
"It's a massive shame and I've been going there since I was little.
"I don't know how well the Italian will do because a lot of people used the Hollybush for the bar."
Andrea Berks, aged 27, who works as a hairdresser and lives in Baddeley Green, added: "The staff were always very friendly and it was a good place to go.
"But I am really looking forward to seeing what the new venue is like and will be going along to try it out."
Locals claim the Hollybush, which scooped the Pub of The Year award from Staffordshire Good Food Awards in 2009, suffered a dip in trade following the emerging popularity of the nearby Greenway Hall Golf Club. The club underwent a refurbishment 18 months ago.
Matt Shannon, food and drinks manager at the club, said: "We are very lucky that we have such a good catchment area here. We are now looking to expand."
Marco Marco also has restaurants in Northwich, Lymm and Marple Bridge.
Comments
by warren-lloyd
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 10:36AM
“No, I work for Tesco Gary. I shop on-line.”
by mole10
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 10:08AM
“Warren shops at Etsco.”
by muzzer57
Monday, November 26 2012, 3:23PM
“Having seen you on the checkout in Tesco I think you have hogged out a few to many times Warren!”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, November 26 2012, 2:02PM
“The point of Tapas is thought to be to encourage conversation when eating a meal, so as not to have a large plate of food in front of you. I do agree with Gary that it is far better then the buffet or car vary for a good old hog out.”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, November 26 2012, 11:27AM
“I'm known in Spain as the Tapas Bar Asesino.”
by mole10
Monday, November 26 2012, 11:23AM
“Many Curry houses now offer their menu as a tapas.
Small bowls of anything on the menu.
A great way of sampling a variety of dishes.
I think this is a better way than the serve yourself buffet style which can have a limited approach.
I believe the idea is a free for all on the table whith everyone sampling everything bought.
Everyone gets a look in.”
by muzzer57
Monday, November 26 2012, 11:14AM
“Tapas
http://tinyurl.com/ynnf9q
Anything else is not authentic.”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, November 26 2012, 11:04AM
“Most of the Sentinel lot think Chips, Sausage, Egg and Beans washed down with a few bottles of flat larger is classic Spanish cuisine anyway. Now if you'll excuses I'm going to knock up a Chicken and Chorizo stew.”
by mole10
Monday, November 26 2012, 10:38AM
“Tapas, Italian style is very much enjoyed by me inside the Trafford centre.
I wondered why on my first go, why one table had so many small plates on it!
A great way to test various things on offer.
Is the new owner the former owner of the famous Est Est near Manchester?”
by warren-lloyd
Monday, November 26 2012, 10:29AM
“You never know, it might serve both Italian and Spanish, because I can confirm that Tapas is small portions of food so that the dinner can try more then one dish served in SPAIN. It ether that or the Sentinals reporter as not got the first idea what he's on about.”