The Whyte Harte Hotel Bletchingley to undergo a major upgrade

The festive season may be long over, but residents of Bletchingley and Redhill still have reason to celebrate.  Building work starts early February on a major £500,000 upgrade of The Whyte Harte Hotel in Bletchingley by Heineken owned Star Pubs & Bars and the new operator Brian Coughlan and his wife Asta to transform it into a top-quality family friendly village pub with rooms offering stand-out food, drink and service.

The Whyte Harte Hotel will close at end of service on 4^th February.  There will be a party on 3^rd with live music as a thank you to patrons for their support.  The pub will re-open the first week in March in time for Mother’s Day, tables for which can be booked from now.  In addition to three jobs already created a further five new jobs will result from the upgrade of the hotel which will be completed later in the spring.

The pub had been closed for two and a half years before Brian and Asta took it on in May 2023 on a temporary basis.  Brian and Asta were so taken by The Whyte Harte Hotel and the community that they decided to take it on a long-term lease and move to the village.

Funds are being spent on a top to toe redecoration of the inside of the pub and upgrade of the lighting and furniture to create an upmarket country pub look and feel.  New table lamps and wall mounted brushed copper pendant lights are to be fitted.  Wooden and brick tiled floors will be renovated, painted tongue and groove panelling added, and an eclectic mix of traditional freestanding and fixed seating and tables installed providing seating for 91.

The 13 ensuite bedrooms are also being upgraded.

The pub’s exterior is to be given a complete makeover, repainted in cream and olive green with new signage and lighting and a decked area at the front with seating for 30 for alfresco eating and dining.  To the rear of the pub there will be a pergola with covered seating area for 24 with the upper back garden offering further seating for 60.  Festoon lighting will add to the welcoming ambience.

Brian and Asta’s plans for the pub are for it to offer great quality traditional pub food along with premium beers, ciders & wines.  The latest dispense technology has been installed to improve the quality and consistency of draught beer and cider. The Smart Dispense System’s unique cooling technology and line insulation from keg to tap is 20% more energy efficient than standard systems, keeping cider and beer colder.

As well as lunches and dinner which will be served seven days a week, Brian intends to offer breakfast from 7-10 am once the rooms open later in the spring.

Event wise, The Whyte Harte Hotel will host quizzes, wine and food tastings and live entertainment on a monthly basis and hold summer events in the courtyard garden.

It will also cater for weddings at the pub, with the first few already booked.

Brian Coughlan says: “My family and I love living in Bletchingley. It’s a diverse, friendly and welcoming community.  It has been great getting to know local residents and the potential of The Whyte Harte Hotel.  Asta and I are excited by the plans.  We want it to be somewhere that the village can be proud of - a real hub, encouraging people to socialise and to stay.  We’re looking forward to saying thank you to residents and celebrating the upgrade on the 3^rd of February.  It should be a fun night.”

Mark Marijnen, Business Development Manager for Star Pubs & Bars said: “We’re delighted to be working with Brian and Asta to broaden The Whyte Harte Hotel’s appeal. The changes will improve the look and comfort of the pub which together with their plans for 13 new ensuite letting rooms and top-quality food, drink and entertainment will give people more reasons to visit.  Its location close to Gatwick, makes it a perfect place for relaxed refreshments or an overnight stay.  It’s a great start to the year for the village, the surrounding area and for visitors.”