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Drink News


THE BOOT TAKES BIG STEP ON ROAD TO ROSY CIDER FUTURE


NewRiver pub The Boot, in Gloucestershire, is stepping out on a new path – thanks to customers’ thirst for craft cider.


Publican Claire Jacobs-Wintle has revitalised the Chipping Sodbury pub by stocking 16 varieties of cider from Somerset producer Lilley’s.


And just a few weeks after introducing the new range, Claire reports that people who in the past would have given The Boot a miss have become regular customers.


The pub, in Horse Street, which used to have a reputation for under-age drinking and drug dealing, faces stiff competition from six other nearby pubs, and due to its off-the-high-street location does not get passing trade.


“We had to find something that made us different from the rest,” said Claire, who runs the pub with husband Clint and three staff. “Other than the weekend breakfasts we serve, food wasn’t really a viable option as it’s only a small pub, so it had to be something innovative involving drinks.


“Customers who’ve come in since we started focusing on cider have been surprised at the size of the range. We’ve got everything from fruit-flavoured varieties, to the 8.4% ABV Gladiator.”


Claire, a former Pub Manager, had wanted to introduce ciders for some time, and earlier this year was introduced to the Lilley’s range by NewRiver’s operations manager for the south west, Clive Greene. The Boot is one of 344 pubs in England and Wales owned by the retail and leisure property company.


Claire said: “NewRiver very quickly struck a deal with Lilley’s and opened the door to their range of craft ciders.


“We closed the pub for two days and redecorated it, including having local artist Gary Iles paint a woodland mural on the walls, to give it a more rustic feel; somewhere welcoming and comfortable here people could come and enjoy a drink. It’s a community pub.


34 SEPTEMBER 2017


“It seems to have worked, because as well as returning regulars, we’ve had a lot of new faces appear in the few weeks since the changes.”


Claire is also planning an August Bank Holiday cider festival and hog roast with live music, and is about to introduce a range of up to 20 rums, which she believes will complement the ciders.


“I think rum is going to be the next big thing, and will sit well alongside the cider,” predicted Claire, who will host rum tasting evenings. “This is never going to be a posh pub, and you can’t make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear, but we can make it the best pig’s ear.”


The Boots boasts a large garden, complete with children’s play area and pet pig; has a pool table; darts board, three large screens showing sport,; and it sponsors a local football team.


David Shipton, Asset Development Director for NewRiver’s pub portfolio, said: “Claire has done a superb job at The Boot.


It’s absolutely immaculate, and she’s got the look and feel just right, which means people who’ve not tried the pub in the past are dropping in, then going back, because they’ve been impressed. Her inventiveness around the introduction of a range of ciders is highly commendable.


“Word has begun to spread, and once Claire introduces rum to the pub, I’m sure its reputation as a friendly and welcoming venue will grow further.”


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