Going from being a general manager in charge of three busy businesses to becoming the tenant of her dream pub, Laura Boulton, MBII has successfully forged strong contacts with the local community in order to keep driving The Racehorse in Warwick forward. Gueniver Warren MBII reports.
Warwick, synonymous with its imposing castle, boasts a gem just beyond its walls – The Racehorse, a gastro pub filled with community spirit, owned by Laura Boulton MBII and run with the support of her 30-strong team. Since taking on this Everards pub in 2022, firstly on a management partnership agreement, Laura has doubled the weekly turnover in record time. And the pub grew to mean more than just business, it was home too. So, in November 2023, Laura signed a three-year tenancy.
The race for The Racehorse
Having spent seven years as a General Manager in charge of three bustling sites, the long hours and demanding shifts had begun to lose its allure. In January 2022 she began her search for her own business. She recalls: “I knew I needed to take that step, knowing I’d work hard for the next 10 years, so that I could create a life where I wasn’t having to work the crazy hospitality hours.”
But setting up and attending interviews with pub companies, in a landscape dominated by a data driven mentality, left her questioning her decision. She remembers leaving one interview thinking she’d bitten off more than she could chew by trying to take on a pub in the middle of a financial crisis! But that changed when she had an interview with Everards – with its approach being a refreshing departure from the norm: “Everards adapted to what I needed and took a lot of the pressure away.”
But she still needed to find her dream pub. Having visited eight sites across the country, none felt right. As her hopes began to dwindle, she received a call from her Business Relationship Manager, Louise, about a potentially perfect site – but with the caveat that it might not become available.
Laura took her chances, taking a solo and incognito trip to the site. “I walked into The Racehorse and knew this was what I wanted. I sent Louise a message saying I’d wait, even if it took six months.” Eventually, Laura’s phone rang and The Racehorse was hers.
Castle, community, charity and craft beer
Since her arrival at The Racehorse, Laura has implemented many changes across the site to enhance its relationship with the community. “Being in a prime location, we get a lot of trade from visitors to the castle, no matter what, so we really try to integrate with them.”
Laura stays in close contact with the General Manager at the castle to keep up-to-date with forthcoming events, as well as offering support to the team there, including providing an off-site meeting room for them to gather. Developing the relationship has been beneficial to both sides. “The castle has woodland lodges they rent out overnight, and we’re always being recommended to visitors as somewhere to eat.”
The Racehorse has also forged strong relationships within the community, in particular with Myton Hospices. Regular fundraising events, such as a physically demanding 100k bike ride, and creative initiatives, such as donating a portion of dessert sales to the charity, has cemented their relationship. And in return, Myton Hospices helps publicise the pub, taking photos of oversize cheque presentations. “It’s a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the hospice’s work and the money we raise for them,” says Laura.
On top of their charitable efforts, community events and themed nights regularly feature in the pub; with the most recent being their beer festival. With their gardens filled with cask ales, a bouncy castle and live music, the community spirit really shines.
“It is a lot of planning and a lot of contacting people. We’ve got acts we use regularly who come to play, and then it’s about making sure everything is out on socials.” Laura adds that the team play a key role in making events a success, while Everards helps out with the beer – even supporting with a bar.
Laura has frequently collaborated with Everards on special events. One such venture was co-hosting a brewery tour designed to inform potential tenants about the lease agreements and Everards’ business approach. She explains how the brewery tours had evolved from formal presentations into interactive experiences, combining beer tasting with open Q&A sessions. “You meet so many people who run pubs differently. I like helping on the brewery tours because it provides a unique way of looking at things, and helps keep you improving and learning. There is no perfect way of doing things.”
The future and final words
Despite her short tenure at The Racehorse, Laura is brimming with ambition. She envisions expanding the pub’s charity work and fundraising efforts within the next year. And with an eye on the future, she hopes The Racehorse will become a flagship establishment for Everards.
On a personal level, Laura aims to create her own pub portfolio, with five sites within the next decade – although she admits to being in no hurry to rush the process.
To anyone looking to take the leap to owning their own pub, or wanting to expand, Laura says: “It all relies on three things. The people you’ve got around you, the location of the pub, and whether it’s the right situation for you.” She continues by saying that anyone looking to expand their business needs to think about “whether the pub itself could get to where you want it, the vision you have for the future, and you’ve got enough people around you to support it.”
