Flurry of bookings ahead of gastropub's reopening
One of the West Midlands' top pub-restaurants is already fully booked for its first weekend after announcing it will reopen in the spring.
Liam Dillon, who owns The Boat Inn at Lichfield, said gastropub would reopen on May 20 after the Prime Minister revealed his plan to end the lockdown restrictions.
The pub in Walsall Road, which features in the Michelin Guide, is Staffordshire's only three-rosette restaurant after being taken over by internationally renowned chef Mr Dillon four years ago.
He urged people to support all local businesses after lockdown.
“After such a tough year, I ask everyone to shop and buy local across every sector – farm shops, pubs, coffee shops, retail and restaurants," he said.
“The team and I are hugely excited. We opened the booking system straight away and we are already full over the first weekend.
“This is really positive especially after the huge investment in the dining area plus a new outdoor garden dining offer.”
Mr Dillon said local small businesses needed the support of their communities after struggling during the lockdown.
“The heart of our local towns and villages, the pubs and restaurants, have been dark for many months," he said.
"Some have pivoted to offer take-aways. We’ve had an amazing response to our heat-at-home boxes, but we want people to enjoy not just our food but the whole dining experience from mid-May onwards.”
Mr Dillon said he had used the lockdown period to improve the menu and add wines that would complement each dish.
The chef, who has also been delivering meals to teachers and staff at King Edwared VI School, where he used to be a pupil.
Mr Dillon, who worked with top chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing before taking up roles in Australia, Denmark and the US, stars with his team in a weekly live cooking lessons on The Boat's Facebook page.
The Boat is now taking bookings on its website.
