Captain Cook Pub Brings Major Boost to Dawes Road
Launching next week after a half million pound refurbishment
A new pub called The Captain Cook opens next week in Dawes Road, promising to bring a major boost to the local area.
The pub is on the site of the rundown Wilton Arms, which closed last year after a troubled history of crime and disorder which ended with the landlord David Hinton being jailed for having a CS spray in his bedroom.
Now it has a new name and is getting a brand new start when it launches on November 15, following a half million pound refurbishment by Heineken owned Star Pubs & Bars and pub operators Chris Wilkie and Karl Tisch.
The name was chosen by New Zealanders Karl and Chris to reflect their roots in both New Zealand and England, where they have lived for the last ten years.
They have carried out a complete transformation of the pub. Downstairs rooms have been knocked through forming a light, airy open plan space, and while the look is contemporary, The Captain Cook will also have a traditional feel with stripped floors, exposed brickwork and reclaimed wood furniture.
Karl and Chris say they will be introducing great quality food courtesy of top chef David Brogan and a theatre-style kitchen and dining area have been created, though customers will be welcome to eat anywhere.
“The menu will cover all price points and will focus on superb pub food but with a twist featuring dishes ranging from pan fried scallops to lamb with roasted root vegetables,” says Chris.
As well as having a vast range of bottled beers and three cask ales on tap including the Captain Cook’s own house ale, the Captain Cook will serve cocktails and a carefully selected wine list with New Zealand and Australian wines a feature.
A second phase of development will see eight letting rooms created above the pub, six of which will be en suite, to accommodate visitors to the area. Karl and Chris are hoping these will be ready just before Christmas.
November 7, 2014
