After selling his house to fund his first venue, The Maynard in Grindleford, Rob nearly went bankrupt after opening just six weeks before the first lockdown.
However, three years on and Rob is preparing to open his third venue in early 2024, The Ashford Arms in Ashford-in-the-Water.
It's a gorgeous 17th century pub at the gateway to this popular Peak District village, The Ashford Arms didn’t survive the pandemic and as a result has been closed down for the past three years.
Rob has undertaken the pup's lease, which was once owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire of nearby Chatsworth House, in August 2023, and has kicked off an extensive £1.5m refurbishment, with the ground floor, hotel bedrooms, gardens and kitchen undergoing a complete transformation.
Said Rob: “The Ashford Arms will look strikingly different as it undergoes necessary structural work and a complete redesign of the restaurant, bar and nine hotel bedrooms."
He went on to say: “As with our other two venues, we'll be offering a premium pub experience that ticks all the boxes; whether visiting the Peak District as a tourist, seeking a pint with friends, a romantic date night by the fire or a lively gathering with loved ones.”
The restaurant at The Ashford Arms is expected to cater for 107 diners with Raymond Blanc trained executive chef, Adrian Gagea, designing the menu, and Westside and Southside’s Young Chef of the Year, Chris Parker, taking on the role of head chef.
Longbow’s Josh Butler, who was awarded the Visit Derbyshire and Peak District Young Tourism Hero Award 2023 has worked his way up the ranks within Longbow and will lead the venue as the general manager.
Longbow only uses local Peak District suppliers, a move that has gained recognition in various hospitality awards such as East Midlands Business Awards, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire Awards and The National Wedding Awards where The Maynard was awarded best wedding venue in East Midlands two years running, taking the national runner up place in 2022.
“It’s vital and a non-negotiable for me we off our support to Peak District businesses. In a cost-of-living crisis and a hospitality industry that's seen so many venues suffer extreme losses and closures, we want to ensure we always contribute to our local economy," said Rob.
“Our meat is sourced from local suppliers, who raise and nurture their own livestock through traditional farming values. Our seasonal fruit, veg and herbs come direct from Peak District farms, and we use local breweries and distilleries such as Peak Ales, Thornbridge Breweries and Shining Cliff Distillery to name a few. And we never compromise on freshness, taste and quality. I’m delighted we're able to contribute to an uplift in business for our local suppliers through The Ashford Arms.”
The Ashford Arms will join The Maynard, which has won numerous awards as a wedding venue, restaurant, and hotel, and The George, an award-winning historic bar, restaurant and hotel in Hathersage, which was frequented by Charlotte Brontë.
Upon reopening after the second lockdown, The Maynard enjoyed 66% growth, putting the team in a position to open The George Hathersage in late 2021.
Following continued consistent growth, despite a rapid increase in costs, Longbow Bars & Restaurants Ltd is ready for a third venue to complement the achievements of The Maynard and The George.
Rob started his hospitality career working in his parents’ restaurant, Aitch’s Wine Bar in Bakewell, before working as a chef and manager throughout the UK and a few years running beverage operations for Royal Caribbean Cruise Liners.
Rob ended by saying: “Hospitality was one of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and personally I wondered at one point whether I’d ever financially recover. I had no choice but to go on Universal Credit in lockdown as the team and I struggled to keep The Maynard afloat.
"I’m so proud of my team and what we achieved over the past three years, and there is a great deal of excitement about the new addition to the Longbow family. As a Peak District lad, nothing brings me greater pleasure than breathing life into unviable hospitality businesses in my home county. I can’t wait to share The Ashford Arms with everyone, whether they are local or from further afield, in the New Year.”
The refurbishment will be a collaboration with Heineken. The Ashford Arms is expected to open in early 2024 with recruitment for new team members starting next month, in October.