The Black Horse in Great Missenden to Reopen Following an Upgrade

The Black Horse in Great Missenden, which had been closed for 18 months, reopened temporarily at the end of May in time for the Jubilee Weekend to the delight of villagers.  It has now closed again for a major £180,000 refurbishment by Heineken owned, Star Pubs & Bars1 and its new licensees, Penn Street Taverns and will reopen at the end of September as a top-quality family and dog friendly village and destination pub. 10 jobs are being created as a result.

Funds are being spent on a complete interior and exterior upgrade of The Black Horse to give it a more contemporary country look and feel whilst retaining its traditional character.  The kitchen is also being improved to enable the pub to offer fresh home cooked pub classics and the bar revamped and restocked with premium cask ales and lagers and top-quality spirits.  

The exterior of the pub is being smartened up, redecorated in grey and white and the picket fence repainted. New signage and planting will complete the look. A large beer garden with seating for 40 for alfresco drinking and dining is also being created.  During the summer months there will be marquees with festoon lighting.  Future plans include the installation of a wood burning pizza oven, play equipment, animals, and a vegetable garden.

The new licensees are keen that the pub becomes the beating heart of the village as well as a destination for walkers.  The large outside space will be used for community events and music and beer festivals.  There will also be a monthly pub quiz.

As well as offering great cask ales and classic pub food at lunchtime and in the evening, The Black Horse will offer filter and barista style coffee and cakes throughout the day and picnics for walkers to take with them.

The founders of Penn Street Taverns, Josh Jones and local businessman Andrew Hillier, are both from Buckinghamshire.  This is their first pub – though Josh has fourteen years hospitality experience. Their plan is, in time, to have an estate of five top quality local village pubs with the Black Horse their flagship operation.

Says Josh: “The location of the Black horse is fantastic with nothing to compete with it locally.  It’s ideal for walkers and villagers, has great parking and plenty of space to put on charity events as well as live music, if that is what the community wants.  The residents we have spoken to so far are very supportive of our plans.  

“Andrew and I will be hands-on and have taken on a new manager Maddy Pearce, who previously worked at The Cherry Tree in Flackwell Heath, to oversee day-to-day operations.

“We are looking forward to reopening The Black Horse properly, getting to know the community and breathing new life into The Black Horse.”

Says Star Pubs & Bars area manager, Dan Hayward: “Andrew and Josh have both hospitality and business experience.  They also know the area well and so have a good appreciation of what customers want.  

“We are delighted to be investing with them to bring The Black Horse up to date. The changes to the pub, their plans and new management will broaden the pub’s appeal ensuring its long-term sustainability.  I wish them well.”