Pub operator and brewer Brakspear is set to open the Frogmill near Cheltenham in July, following a major redevelopment that represents the biggest project in the company’s 240-year history.
Brakspear purchased the Frogmill, in Shipton Oliffe, near Andoversford, in early 2016, since when it has been closed while plans were developed for the refurbishment now underway. When complete, it will be Brakspear’s biggest managed site, comprising a 100-cover restaurant, bar, 28 boutique bedrooms and wedding and conference facilities for up to 150 guests, all housed within the Frogmill’s extensive grounds, which are being re-landscaped.
The Grade II listed, traditional Cotswolds stone building is believed to date back to the 16th century. The redevelopment will retain many of its original features including fireplaces, flagstone floors, exposed beams and, in the grounds, a wisteria-covered stone pergola and a watermill. The refurbishment, carried out by Brakspear’s in-house design team, blends traditional and contemporary features, an approach that Brakspear has adopted to create stunning designs across its growing managed estate.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said, “We’re thrilled that the transformation of the Frogmill is underway and look forward to seeing the final result after many months of planning. The start of work on the site has sparked a lot of interest locally and we’re already receiving enquiries for weddings and room bookings, so we’re expecting to be busy from Day 1.
“The Frogmill’s dedicated wedding and event facilities set it apart from our other managed sites, but we have a great track record of running successful, award-winning pubs with a quality food offer and accommodation. Our managed business is now five years old and we have built a strong infrastructure including estate-wide recruitment, training, menu development and marketing, that will enable us to replicate our success at this larger, more complex site.”
The Frogmill takes Brakspear’s managed estate up to 12 sites. The division was formed in 2013 with the opening of the Bull on Bell Street in Henley-on-Thames and includes pubs across the Cotswolds and south east. Seven sites – including the Frogmill – currently offer accommodation, with a total of just over 100 rooms. Thirteen rooms are being added this summer to the newest acquisition, the Lion at Wendlebury, near Bicester.
Caption: redevelopment underway at the Frogmill
