Business Profile
The Hare & Hounds, Speen: Speen hotel proud to serve its community
13th March 2008
IN the 18th century, the Hare & Hounds, Speen, must have offered a haven for those wanting to avoid the bustling and rowdy town centre when visiting Newbury. Today, the former coaching inn offers the same welcoming alternative to travellers, locals and regulars alike.
“Being so close to the town and yet a world away is part of the charm of the Hare & Hounds,” explained proprietor Jonathan Nelsey. “You can imagine that the venue has offered this alternative since it opened, however, my wife and I are particularly proud of what we have achieved since we bought the Hare & Hounds in 2005.
“When we arrived, the inn was down on its luck and we have worked hard to create a welcoming venue that is in keeping with the heritage of this fine coaching inn.
“Foremost we set out to restore the pub, it had been neglected and we wanted to make it a local bar for local people with the benefit of real ales that comes with a free house. We have ensured that the restaurant is serving quality food that attracts local people to eat here, both for special occasions and simply because they can.
“It was a challenge to create a menu that would appeal not only to local customers, but also to the guests who use our 30 bedrooms, especially with clients who will be staying for weeks at a time, but equally for those who are here for racedays at Newbury or a wedding.
“We also have invested heavily to bring our bedrooms up to a three-star standard. Not everyone realises that we have 30 bedrooms or that we have separate mews bedrooms at the back, away from the road.
“Most importantly, all this would not work without the right staff and I am proud of the team we have here.
“I said to everyone when I arrived that I wanted them to be proud to say that they work at the Hare & Hounds in Speen, and that is something guests pick up on. I have two excellent managers, Debbie Bah and Shaun Jeffrey, who lead an exceptional team.
“When I arrived at the Hare & Hounds, there was a blank blackboard in the bar, before I knew it I found myself writing on it: ‘The heart of any community is its local hostelry. The heart of any hostelry is its local community. The Hare & Hounds, proud to be in the heart of Speen’.
“That is on our website now and people know it is not merely lip service.
“We are an exceptional venue and we are welcoming to new faces and regulars alike.”
Pictured in the resturant of the Hare & Hounds are owners Jonathan and Jean Nelsey (right) and managers Debbie Bah and Shaun Jeffrey.
Hare & Hounds, Speen
Tel: (01635) 521152
Fax: (01635) 47708
Web: www.hareandhoundhotel.net
Email: reservations@hareandhoundshotel.net
