56 Thursday, March 30, 2017
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BUSINESS Dreaming about getting out into the sunshine and sitting in a delightful pub garden enjoying lunch and a drink on a lazy summer day? Well dream no more... The pub is at the heart of many rural villages so locals and visitors alike will be delighted to know that after an extensive 18-month restoration by The Phillimore Estate, The Bottle & Glass Inn is due to open its doors this weekend, in the village of Binfield Heath, Henleyon-Thames. The Grade II listed pub – which comes complete with a traditional thatched roof – has been returned to life while making sure the historic site has been protected and any restoration work has been sensitively carried out to retain the building’s character and charm. The owners have a wealth of experience in running food-led pubs. David Holliday was the head chef of the Pot Kiln in Berkshire before becoming the general manger of Michelin-starred pub, The Harwood Arms in Fulham (sister pubs), where he met Alex Sergeant in 2008. Having grown up on a working farm in Hampshire and with a passion for wild produce, Holliday later went on to launch a range of popular game-based products for Waitrose and hundreds of farm shops and delis throughout the UK. After Holliday’s departure from The Harwood Arms, Sergeant took over as general manager for a span of seven and half years, taking The Harwood from strength to strength, winning awards for both his wine and drinks lists. The Harwood Arms is still London’s only Michelin-starred pub. The friends joined forces again and after a long search, found the ideal opportunity when they came across the site in Binfield Heath. Holliday said: “We wanted somewhere that screamed ‘traditional English pub’ but the site also had to be able to accommodate a kitchen and trading spaces that could be run as a food-led operation.”
This picture perfect pub just ‘screams traditional English’ Local beers (including Loddon beer brewed on the estate) will be championed plus a carefully curated selection of wines and Champagnes to compliment the food. The pub takes its food menu seriously and wild game features heavily when in season – the menu is a celebration of the British produce of the area. Diners can expect to taste inventive dishes such as Oxfordshire wood pigeon, beetroot, pickled berries and
cobnuts and Estate Fallow deer chop, brewer’s malt, parsley root and seasonal greens. The proudly British theme continues into the dessert course, with choices like Lemon verbena tart with Laceys’ Guernsey cream and local cheeses sourced from only a few miles away at the Nettlebed Creamery. There is also a separate locals’ bar, from a time gone by – communal pews and benches make for a friendly atmosphere, as well as
standing room for local drinkers. The pub’s decor, the space has been lovingly refurbished to create a welcoming environment that blends the traditional with the modern. With exposed beams and a woodburning stove, the cool Farrow & Ball colour scheme creates a calming feel while dark green herringbone tweed curtains and Black & White country prints reinforce the country vibe and feeling of place. Furniture including oak and refec-
tory tables and mismatched refurbished chairs help complete the look. With summer around the corner guests can take advantage of the pub’s outdoor spaces with both terrace dining and the more traditional beer garden. Visitors can explore the stunning countryside and National Trust woodland of Binfield Heath direct from the pub or venture further afield to nearby Henley-on-Thames or Reading.
Victory for ‘bold’ self-drive car firm Oxbotica won the FT ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Award in the Smaller Company category, celebrating small companies having the biggest impact. Thirty-six shortlisted companies gathered from around the world to celebrate what it takes to be bold in business at the Royal Institute of British Architects. Oxbotica, which creates the software that propels self-driving vehicles, was recognised alongside other world-class winners, including Google’s Deepmind, Dollar Shave Club, Dong Energy and Preferred Networks. Dr Graeme Smith, CEO, of Oxbotica, based in Banbury Road, Oxford, emphasised the importance of being bold and taking risks, saying: “Wow what an honour. We’ve been ‘bold’ since day one, when we started operations with just four employees. “We’ve now grown to over 30 strong and are doubling that this year. “We’ve opened up a third
office in Oxford, a fleet of autonomous vehicles and a dedicated test track and workshop. “Our customer base is expanding rapidly and we’re growing fast to meet this demand. “This award is a major deal to a small company like us – thank you very much!” Originally launched in the midst of the financial crisis in 2008, the ninth Annual Boldness in Business Awards saw the list of shortlisted companies dominated by artificial intelligence and renewable energy. Lionel Barber, editor of the Financial Times, said: “In this newly chaotic world, there are a few constants for business. “One stand-out is the relentless advance of technology, whether in artificial intelligence, robotics or genetic engineering. “Technology has the capacity to make a positive difference to the lives of ordinary citizens, and this is the theme of 2017’s Boldness in Business awards.”