Michelin-starred chef Nigel Haworth is getting ready to open his second Cheshire pub on the outskirts of Alderley Edge - and is eyeing Manchester for his next venture.
The respected Northcote chef patron’s Ribble Valley Inns group has added The Stag’s Head in Great Warford to its collection of north west gastropubs, which also includes The Nag’s Head in Haughton Moss, which opened last year.
Speaking at the Northern Restaurant and Bar Show at Manchester Central, where he performed a cookery demo today, he said it would be edgier than its stablemates - although still very much a country pub at heart.
“Depending on where we are, we look at what we think that area needs, but we have always tried to keep to the regional food, bring in local suppliers and keep that connection with the community,” he said.
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“We’re looking at the feel for The Stag to be a bit more cosmopolitan but still trying to stick to the really good values that have made us successful.”
The pub already came with an excellent reputation for food before it closed in September and Ribble Valley Inns - which Nigel co-owns with Northcote business partner Craig Bancroft - acquired the site just before Christmas.
It will be completely transformed with a sympathetic refurbishment, in keeping with the company’s other pubs, before opening in the autumn.
After the launch, Nigel is setting his sights on a city centre project in Manchester or possibly Liverpool, where he runs a cooking academy.
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“I’ve always looked at Manchester and felt we should do something here in the long term but Northcote is a very busy animal to feed,” he said.
“I didn’t want to sacrifice the quality there just for the sake of opening something new, particularly when we had the pubs and we were moving those out.
“Liverpool and Manchester are both great cities and they would be our first port of call. Next year will be the time to be looking.
“There are lots of opportunities, the cities are growing and there is an excitement.”
