Star of Men Behaving Badly and voice of Bob The Builder, Neil Morrissey, unveiled his latest venture on Thursday evening with a grand re-opening of Barlaston’s ‘Plume of Feathers’ pub, which Neil’s company has opened in association with Punch Taverns. A Little Bit of Stone was lucky enough to be invited along. KRIS GRAINGER reports
After several months of extensive renovation, the pub’s décor was revealed tonight, whilst being modernised and refreshed with a clean look, the pub has also gained a classy and intimate feel with sleek but timeless décor, new fireplaces and wood burners and some very well considered mood lighting. This will help add to the ambience of the pub which is proud to boast Morrissey’s own range of ales, as well as many guest beers and an extensive and refined menu thanks to the completely refurbished kitchen.
On offer tonight were canapés including deep-fried prawn, flatbreads with blue cheese and caramelised onion, and locally sourced pork pies; hinting at the food to come in the following months. Saturdays for instance will see ‘Neil’s Big Hangover Breakfasts’ which have the option of coming with a pitcher of Bloody Mary! Around the building can be seen chalk-style boards where special deals and upcoming events will be publicised such as the ‘Plume Quiz’ which is due to begin on Wednesday 1st April.
Neil, who grew up in various foster homes in the area, decided last year, after returning for a visit, that he wanted to open a pub in the area he calls home. Brewing his own ales, known as Morrissey Blonde and Plume, Neil is a great enthusiast for real beer and food. ‘We decided if we’re going to open a pub in the area we would, as far as possible, try to use local suppliers an manufacturers to support businesses in the area’, he commented.
The star’s presence in the pub cannot only be seen in his own line of beers but in the various references to his work around the building. In keeping with the large amount of trade that the pub is hoping to get from its proximity to the canal, the star has commissioned plaques, with names from his television appearances, in the style of canal barge names, such as ‘Men Behaving Badly, Gary & Tony, Surrey’. This gives the pub a nice canal theme whilst allowing a cheeky nod to the owner. The walls are also covered with Neil’s stage memorabilia as well as a history of his career and some cheeky ‘behind the scenes’ photos. None of this is at the expense of the character of the original pub though, with there being a fantastic collection of old black and white photographs, showing the history of the pub, the canal and Barlaston.
The pub retains its rear beer-garden balcony, overlooking the bowling green, whilst of course allowing easy access to canal boats or towpath users. The interior sees plush new curved sofas as well as smart dark-wood chairs and tables, adding to the dark, intimate but modern look of the décor. The key to the intimacy of the new pub though is down to two key areas. Visitors to the old pub will remember a large open area and a long jog to the bar as you enter the front door. The bar has now been moved much nearer to the entrance and this area has been divided by the inclusion of a double sided fireplace which on one side sees the bar, and on the other, some of the dining area. Furthermore the inclusion of warm tone lighting, and some very beautiful lights at the bar, adds to the warm intimate feel of somewhere to go when it’s cold and dark outside.
Morrissey welcomed visitors to the night with a smile and ensured he took the time to talk to everyone. Mid-point during the evening he took a microphone behind the bar to thank the brewery and the new staff, who ‘have been working so hard to prepare for the opening night.’ He opened, to everyone’s amusement with, ‘Hello I’m Neil, the actor, Gary’s mate’ and ‘I think Martin Clunes is stuck on the Motorway somewhere’.
The star promises to put in a regular appearance and assures everyone that he will not just be a ‘name above the door’. The staff seem to love him too, ‘he’s such a nice boss to work for’ commented Lydia Bowden who is one of the new bar staff.
The new look of the pub is clean and ordered, but without being cold and losing any of the building’s original charm and character. The lighting means that the bar and restaurant area has a very intimate feel and the warm glow from the real fires, along with the creation of lots of little ‘nooks and crannies’ means that the pub has a welcoming and relaxed feel which should appeal to regulars, families and dating couples. If the quality of the food tonight is anything to go by, then diners will be in for a treat in the weeks to come. I can tell you as well, the beer’s not bad either!
The Plume of Feathers is in Barlaston, just before the level crossing. The official opening to the public is Friday 6th March.
