Lindsay Barritt, The Dog & Badger at Maulden
Lindsay Barritt, who used to work in the Charles Wells transport department, has returned – but this time she’s been welcomed back as a licensee.
She and her partner Mark Stokes are the new leaseholders at The Dog & Badger, Maulden, which has been refurbished since its acquisition by Charles Wells Pub Company.
Lindsay comes from Clophill, close to Maulden, and has known the 200 year-old pub for most of her life.
The couple were previously with Greene King, for whom they ran two pubs.
“We had taken the last pub as far as we could,” said Lindsay, “but we took time out to start a family.” Baby Luke was born 10 and a half months ago.
“We didn’t really intend to come back into the business, but we both missed the way of life.”
Mark comes from a farming background and Lindsay was a transport manager before joining the trade. She was transport administrator for Charles Wells for five years, before leaving nine years ago.
“Transport and pubs are all I know,” said Lindsay.
The couple plan to develop the pub as a predominately food led business. “It has a good reputation as a destination dining pub, and we want to build on that.”
Food sales account for 70 per cent of sales, and Lindsay and Mark are adding their community skills, which have helped them to grow wet sales too.
“We are sourcing all our food locally,” said Lindsay. “We did the same with the work which was done here, and used all local businesses for the work and the play equipment.”
The refurbishment work has improved the pub’s kerb appeal, and following a successful relaunch party in August, which was well advertised on Chiltern FM, in Beds on Sunday and by personal invitations, the couple scored a fantastic 98.2 per cent in a Mystery Shopper visit.
The couple are unconcerned about starting a new venture during a tough economic climate. Explains Lindsay: “We seem to be OK so far. People still need to eat and for something like a Sunday roast, it is as cheap to eat out as to cook it themselves at home.
“I am sure people will eat out less – maybe once a week instead of twice – but we must make sure that when they do go out, they