How new owners of oldest pub in Kenilworth are helping it to bounce back after 106-day closure

Pints are being pulled again at the oldest pub in Kenilworth which closed due to lockdown just a week after its new owners took charge.
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Jonathan Carter-Morris and Marc Hornby opened the doors to the Virgins and Castle in High Street back in March before they and publicans across the UK were ordered to close their doors in order to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.

It was for 106 days that the 450-year-old, 16th century, pub did not serve a pint on site but it is now back open for people to come in for food and drinks.

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Jonathan said: “It’s felt like we haven’t really started yet.

Jonathan Carter-Morris and Marc Hornby opened the doors to the Virgins and Castle in High Street back in March before they and publicansacross the UK were ordered to close their doors in order to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.Jonathan Carter-Morris and Marc Hornby opened the doors to the Virgins and Castle in High Street back in March before they and publicansacross the UK were ordered to close their doors in order to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.
Jonathan Carter-Morris and Marc Hornby opened the doors to the Virgins and Castle in High Street back in March before they and publicansacross the UK were ordered to close their doors in order to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.

"We’ve had the pub for more three months now, but only actually had the doors open for one week.

" Over the lockdown period we’ve ran a takeaway service and we’ve also launched an online pub quiz on Facebook.

"Our brewery, Everards, have been incredibly supportive too as they’ve worked with us to get ready for re-opening."

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Despite the age of the pub, Marc and Jonathan have brought everything at the pub up to the standards of today while adding new breakfast and lunch menus.

The Virgins and Castle pub in Kenilworth.The Virgins and Castle pub in Kenilworth.
The Virgins and Castle pub in Kenilworth.

It was recently given Covid Confident Accreditation by the AA.

The accreditation is awarded to all businesses which submit evidence of Covid-specific risk assessments, staff training and safety programmes

Marc said: "We've spent a long time getting ready to re-open and put measures and guidelines in place to keep our guests and team safe.

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"Once we re-opened our doors on Saturday 4th July, we were quickly into the swing of things again after 106 days with no pints being pulled.

"Guests were so supportive, and we've had nothing but amazing feedback from people saying how good it is to be back in their pub.

"It feels safe, organised and relaxed and our guests are enjoying our new breakfast and lunch menus and our famous Sunday roast with a pint once again."

The pub is taking part in World Youth Skills Day and the Plastic Free Kenilworth.

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Marc said: "World Youth Skills Day is about supporting students and investing in them, which is especially important right now with the lack of confidence in what opportunities will be out there after Covid.

"And there should be plenty.

"We alone are looking to recruit 60 staff to deliver the events carried over to next year.

“And if the student is hard-working and adds value to what you are doing, you won’t want to let them go.”

Tables can be booked in advance at the pub by visiting www.virginsandcastle.com or call t 01926 853737.