17th century pub The Bull Inn in Great Milton has been bought by a local resident, despite being turned into a community pub ten years ago.
A local businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous, came forward and offered to buy the village inn back as long as it was kept as a pub, when it was put up for sale in March.
Step forward new, local landlady Flora Noble who is making sure that The Bull is thriving again and determined to turn it into a real village hub.
The 28 year-old has lived in the village all her life, and with redecoration plans on the cards, Flora is keen to revitalise the pub in the meantime.
“We are going to have a massive refurbishment in about six months time, revamping the toilets and the kitchens so that The Bull has longevity for the next 25 years,” she says.
As a result, The Bull now has a new lease of life and the locals are returning in droves. “A good village pub brings the community together,” she says.
“It’s not just about serving alcohol; it’s a meeting place where people can come together to laugh and mourn, to hear news, find comfort and make new friends.
“And as the pub was being sold I wanted to have some sort of involvement in it’s next stage. I want it to feel ike a second home.
But Flora isn’t interested in raising The Bull’s status to that of a gastro pub, especially as Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin starred Le Manoir is up the road. So expect classic pub food and a friendly welcome.
Think a great Sunday roast, ham, egg and chips, chef Doug’s famous ribs, specials such as moules mariniere from Friday-Sunday, and Thursday night food pop ups from gyros to pizzas.
“We want to keep things simple and well priced. People just want to come here for a pint and some fish and chips,” Flora smiles.
As for taking on the job, she says: “It was a big decision for me to take on this role, but I’m really excited because I want to make The Bull somewhere really special. Opportunities like this don’t come up very often,” Flora says.
So what happened to the community pub? “The last tenants came to the end of their run, and the committee were looking for something else. After Covid, it had run out of energy.”
Great Milton had three pubs in the 1980s and four before that, so Flora feels that ensuring that The Bull thrives is now paramount.
Reopening on May 17, Flora says it has had a new rush of energy: “The locals are the bread and butter of this place so I want The Bull to be the heart of the community and a real asset to the village.
And with famous chef Raymond Blanc visiting already, and the pub much frequented by his staff, the future looks bright.
For further information on The Bull at Great Milton go to https://www.thebullgreatmilton.co.uk
