The Birch Tree in Bardon, Coalville is Jamie and partner Sara’s second pub with Everards. The pair moved from the White Swan in Stoke Golding in 2018.
The Birch Tree sits in a prominent roadside location and Jamie and Sara, together with Everards, have very recently had the pub refurbished, including re-painting the outside and a new Birch Tree image being drawn on the outside which looks stunning as you drive by.
During the lockdown with the pub being closed the pair have set out to make their already amazing garden even more welcoming with new seating and introducing a marquee with outdoor dining and comfy seating within, all spaced according to government guidelines to make their customers feel safe and still get that pub vibe when sitting outdoors. With so many different seating options, inside and out you truly are spoilt for choice at the Birch Tree.
Jamie found lockdown hard at first but said; “We got used to our new routine and went with it. We were spending time doing things at the pub and on the garden (we revamped it during lockdown) and also on our takeaway offer to support the local community whilst the pub was closed. Everards have been amazing and we feel extremely lucky to be with them they have been very supportive at this difficult time and we are very grateful. Planning to continue offering great homecooked food we have been looking at introducing a smoker for meats and to also try and start planning for Christmas and even into next year and how we can further develop the garden as it has been our saviour sinxce re-opening. The fture for pubs is uncertain at the moment but we all have to do our best and keep going. We feel extremely lucky with the local community we live in; they are very supportive and have been amazing!”
Jamie and Sara have offered locals the option of takeaway whilst the pub has been closed which has gone down well with the locals. They have offered full Sunday Roasts and delicious desserts and more recently in August they have been part of the governments Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
Jamie said: “The help out to eat out scheme has been overwhelming and very tiring and demanding, we have had to turn away so many people and hate disappointing anyone. We have been very lucky and have still been fairly busy on our other days particularly the weekend and our Sunday lunch which is as popular as ever.
Jamie and Sara’s offer during lockdown and beyond goes further than offering great food and drink. They have also looked to support their customers wellbeing and have offered a ‘Yoga in the Secret Garden at The Birch Tree’ which entails an hour of relaxing and energising hatha yoga led by a qualified instructor.
“A customer approached Sara regarding the yoga” says Jamie, “we try very hard to be supportive and allow the community to use our pub if possible. We have also signed up to help the Air ambulance by donating to them each month and will be looking to do some sort of fund raiser in the future to help support them further in these difficult times.”
This forward thinking and giving the community more than just a pub is important to Jamie and Sara and what better place to meet friends and de-stress than in the beautiful grounds of the Birch Tree?
Jamie and Sara are very settled at The Birch Tree and say “We feel very much part of the community now and love The Birch Tree we have had great feedback surrounding the garden and want to make it an even better space next year if possible.”
Jamie and Sara look to celebrate two years at the pub this September and are looking forward to many more happy years at the Birch Tree.
– Ends –
Notes to editor:
Contact
Zoe Alonso, Communications Co-ordinator; Mon-Wed
07850 941 426, za@everards.co.uk
Kia Ryan, Communications Co-ordinator; Wed-Fri
07702 444 172, kr@everards.co.uk
About Everards:
Everards of Leicestershire is an independent, family business based in Leicestershire. Chairman, Richard Everard OBE DL is the fifth generation of his family to run the business since it was established by William Everard in 1849. Everards are proud to work with lots of local businesses and causes – from Leicester Tigers and Leicester Riders, for which Tiger is the Official Beer, to supporting local charities such as Warning Zone, Age UK and PROSTaid.
Beers:
Tiger Copper Ale (4.2 per cent ABV) is Everards’ most famous beer and is the official beer of Leicester Tigers. On the bar alongside Tiger you will find Golden Hop (3.5 per cent ABV), Beacon Hill (3.8 per cent ABV), Sunchaser (4.0 per cent ABV) and Old Original (5.2 per cent ABV) available in many Everards pubs. In addition, an innovative range of Limited-Edition beers are released throughout the year. Recently the selection included beers such as Small Beer No.1, People’s Captain Short and Stout and Session IPA No.3, alongside favourites such as Sleighbell and Tighthead.
Pubs:
Everards own more than 175 pubs across the Midlands, all run as independent businesses.
For further information please visit www.everards.co.uk , search for ‘Everards’ on Facebook or find @Everards1849 on Twitter and Instagram.