New dawn for Staffordshire village pub as it reopens its doors to the public

The doors to The Red Lion in Bradley officially opened to customers on Friday following a drink’s reception the night before for guests, which included a toast by the Mayor of Stafford, Councillor Jenny Barron. 

The private drinks reception on Thursday welcomed villagers, press, dignitaries and other VIP’s who enjoyed a BBQ, canapes, and free bars with Chase Vodka and Gin and Bacardi Mojito stations as well as an outdoor ale bar.  

The pub is the newest addition to Davenports’ Brewery's portfolio and boasts a rich history that dates to the 17th Century, and is nestled in the heart of the village of Bradley. 

It is part of the Davenport's Boutique Collection pub, for which the focus is on seasonal food, and a premium drink offering, with the Red Lion combining original features with bold wall dressings and quirky accessories to add to the welcoming bar and stylish dining areas.

The Red Lion will use fresh, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to create innovative and generous dishes, which will go alongside the Davenports' staples of burgers, grazing and bar bite menus and ‘big’ sharing flatbreads.

The pub will also offer a range of Davenports ales, curated wines, premium spirits, and handcrafted cocktails, which will be served up to compliment the dining experience and can be enjoyed indoors, on the Champagne terrace, or in the garden, while it will also serve up free live music on Saturday evenings once food service is complete. 

Davenports associate marketing director Katie McPhilimey said; “It is a beautiful village, and a picture-perfect pub, and the new décor and changes really do enhance that. 

"The foodie offering is incredibly thoughtful, and ranges from very generous pub classics to elevated dishes such as our Harissa King Prawns, Panzanella Salad and Five Spiced Duck Leg as well as wickedly good burgers to include our Guinness BBQ Glazed Pulled Pork Burger and large sharing flatbreads, the Italian being one of my favourites.”

Ms McPhilimey also said that while other groups are closing pubs, Davenports was continuing to buck the trend, adding handpicked new venues to its portfolio with more pubs set to open before the end of this year. 

She said: “We are picking up prestigious awards and opening venues in considered locations across our various portfolios, be that My Local, Pub & Kitchens or Boutique Collection. 

"We focus on what each area needs, and then do our very upmost to deliver it. 

"Making a difference, a positive difference in communities is key.”