Batemans' biggest ever pub refurbishment

April 4, 2008: Batemans has made its single largest investment in one site with the recent refurbishment of the Mill Inn, Boston, Lincolnshire.

New tenants Tracy and Paul Topliss have both worked for many years in the hospitality industry.

Paul has worked as a chef in Lincolnshire, as well as gaining valuable cooking experience in Australia and Europe. He cooks all dishes from scratch, even his bread. The couple offer high-quality, locally-sourced dishes for their lunch and dinner menus, as well as a range of specials that are updated daily.

The Mill Inn also offers Batemans’ XB, a Batemans seasonal ale, plus a guest beer on cask, as well as a wide range of New World wines.

The pub, which has been owned by Batemans for more than 50 years, is situated in an close to the Pilgrim hospital. The traditional bar and open fires have been maintained and improved in the refurbishment, with the addition of a fully-furnished external patio area, which provides an additional area for outside drinking and dining.

Favourites from the menu include a 16oz Chateaubriand for two to share and for pudding a tempting collection of home cooked delights, including rich chocolate brownies, crème brulee and sticky toffee, banana and pecan pudding.

Rob Jones, Batemans' profit partnership director, said: “We are really proud of the changes we have made to the Mill Inn and delighted to have Tracy and Paul on board.

"We believe there is an opportunity in Boston and the surrounding area for a high-quality, inspirational, food-led pub, and we are confident that the refurbishment, aligned with Paul and Tracy’s excellent retail and catering skills, will cater for this niche in the market.

"We have identified some excellent opportunities throughout our retail estate and will continue to invest capital effectively where suitable. The Mill proves our credentials as 21st century retailers whilst retaining our traditional ethos and values – a powerful combination.

“Tracy and Paul have entered into our innovative new goodwill-style tenancy agreement, which incentivises our partners to invest back into their business. Agreed parameters are set out at the commencement of the agreement, with financial rewards should profit targets be achieved. This creates business goodwill within the good old fashioned tenancy model, and avoids assignability; something we think does not necessarily grow businesses in the long term.”