Heart of the community returns with reopening of The Spread Eagle pub in Hockerton

A pub at threat of being converted to residential use has been revived.

The Spread Eagle pub, Hockerton, was at risk of disappearing forever when it closed it’s doors several years ago and in 2021 plans were drawn up to transform the property into a three-bedroom house.

But earlier this year, an ambitious couple took ownership and have spent the past few months refurbishing the venue, returning it to it’s former glory as a much-loved meeting place in the village.

Blake and Natalie Beresforde made the decision after feeling the need to do something new.

Natalie said: “We got the keys in October and it’s been a long few months to get everything ready.

“We have decorated all of the inside, the outside has been painted, we had a new fireplace built. We just wanted to tidy everything up and make it a bit more homely, bringing it back to being a traditional village pub.”

Blake agreed, saying: “Years ago every village had a pub which was the heart of the community. Without that, they lose their character and their history.

“We wanted to create a nice inviting atmosphere where people can come and meet each other, where they can eat or have a drink.

“We are dog friendly and it doesn’t matter if you’ve got muddy boots, we will still welcome you in to get cosy by the open fires.”

Natalie said: “I think a lot of villages are missing that because either the pub hasn’t survived or it’s been taken over by a chain.

“We have had so much support from the villagers who are really excited that we are opening again.

“On our first day we were full to the rafters with people like it was a big village reunion after not being able to get together for so long and it was really nice to be a part of that.”

Blake had spent most of his working life as a chef, most recently as the head chef at the The Old Green Dragon in Oxton, so making the decision to take over the pub felt like a natural step.

He said: “This is really a progression from working my way up in a kitchen and it’s nice to have a place to call my own.” It’s nice working for people but you don’t have anything to show for it after years and years of hard work, but with this place we can do ourselves.

Natalie worked in care for over a decade.

She said: “As much as I loved my job, it was a 24 hour job and you don’t have much of a work life balance.

“We had spoken about doing something together and when we saw this place up for sale and with Blake’s background in the kitchens and I have the management skills to run a team, so we thought we’d jump on it.

“I know a lot of the villagers were very upset as the idea of this place becoming residential housing, they wanted their pub to remain a pub. So hopefully we can make a lot of people happy.”

“There was a lot of excitement and it was lovely to meet everyone.

“Considering this place has been closed for such a long time, we did over 100 meals in the first two days, which was more than we were expecting so it has started really well.

“We do appreciate that we have to build up the trade again and get the word of mouth out there about the quality of the food and the price is good.

“But everyone has been very happy and complimentary about the food, plates have been licked clean so far.

The menu will adapt and change over time while still offering all the pub classics you would expect.

Sunday lunch receives top billing, but a regular menu offers everything from fish and chips, steaks and pies to fajitas, a selection of sandwiches and even hand fired pizzas fresh from the newly-installed pizza oven.

A wide range of starters and traditional desserts also feature, served alongside a variety of ales, wines and coffees. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.

Blake said: “We’ve done a lot of this ourselves, but we couldn’t do it all on our own and we want to thank the people that helped us along the way.

“Since we opened, the support we received has been great. We didn’t expect the turnout that we’ve had, it’s been humbling and really nice to see the community coming back together.”

The couple also have big plans for the future with hopes of opening the pub up for wedding receptions and music nights once they have settled in.

The Spread Eagle is currently taking lunch bookings for Christmas Day.