AA Rosette 2010 & 2011 Inspector's favourite in the Michelin "Eating Out In Pubs Guide 2011" Entry in the Michelin Restaurant Guide 2011

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Reviews:

The Inn, Stonehall Common, Nr Kempsey

From the Worcester News, Thursday 16th December 2010, article by Richard Vernalls.

We’ve cooked up a real success at our new-look pub

DEDICATED staff have earned a place in the Michelin pub guide after triumphing despite the odds.

The Inn at Stonehall near Kempsey has battled the recession to land column inches in the latest Michelin 2011 Eating Out in Pubs guide. The country pub at Stonehall Common has come a long way since a takeover by former financial advisor Joanna Coull in 2007.

Formerly The Fruiterer’s Arms, Ms Coull took a gamble on running a pub at the height of the market just before the economic collapse.

But with food by head chef Dwight Clayton, formerly of Worcester’s the Glasshouse and ex-colleague of celebrated chef Shaun Hill, the pub has managed to hang on and is now “busier than ever” says Ms Coull. “I am really excited about it,” she said.

“It’s been so tough over the last two-and-a-half years – building it up from scratch.

“With the location we’re in we don’t get a lot of passing trade and it had a bit of a poor reputation.

“But we’ve pulled it through and now we’re doing really well.” She said the pub’s popularity, open Tuesdays to Sundays, had spread through “word of mouth” and through creative road sign-posting.

Ms Coull said she wrote to Michelin in 2008 for a review, but had to wait until January when “a man carrying a newspaper came for lunch and ordered three courses – then dropped his business card on the table when he’d finished.”

She revealed tough trading conditions meant she nearly pulled the plug only six months after taking on the dream of running a pub.

“But everybody, and particularly Dwight have worked so hard and been so committed,” she said. “To survive and then for this to happen is fantastic news.”

The pub, which has 70 places and an extensive outdoor serving area, will be the only new one added to the guide from the county this year and is one of only three pubs included from south Worcestershire.

The others are The Plough and Harrow at Guarlford, near Malvern, and The Chequers at Cutnall Green, near Droitwich.

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"In addition to its fine chef, the Inn at Stonehall is also fortunate to have friendly and efficient staff waiting on tables. Add an attractive restaurant, comfortable seating and a roaring log fire and you have the perfect combination for an enjoyable night out."

*****
Worcester News - 23rd January 2009.

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"The Inn’s carefully thought out, regularly changed and very reasonably priced menu offers a delicious selection of modern, British cuisine.."
Worcester Now - 8th March 2008

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