Home Counties Operators Take on Historic Buckinghamshire Pub After Six-Year Closure

Multi-site operators Simon Jukes and Charlotte Summers have taken on the lease of their third pub and have plans to acquire more in the future. The Red Lion in Bierton, near Aylesbury – which has been closed since 2019 – is the duo's second site with Star Pubs. It will undergo a £340,000 refurbishment before reopening in mid-August.

The investment will transform The Red Lion, Bierton's only pub, into a family- and dog-friendly village local. The refurbishment will carefully restore the exterior of the 16th-century Grade II-listed building and create a charming courtyard garden to the rear. The outdoor space will feature festoon lighting, stylish furniture, parasols and new planting.

A sympathetic internal refurbishment will retain the pub's character while upgrading it throughout. Original features, including a double-sided fireplace, quarry-tiled floors and exposed timber beams, will be carefully restored and complemented by a warm, welcoming décor featuring traditional furniture, heritage-inspired colours and leather banquette seating. Cosy snug-style corners will further enhance the inviting atmosphere.

As with Simon and Charlotte's other pubs, the emphasis will be on wet sales. They plan to offer a strong wine selection and will seek Cask Marque accreditation for their cask ales, which will include beers from local breweries.

Simon says: "We get tremendous satisfaction from giving something back to the community. Our aim is to create a welcoming hub where people can come together and enjoy themselves. Although there's a lot of doom and gloom around, our experience at our other pubs is that people are still going out and spending, even if life in general has become more expensive.

"We have a great relationship with Star. They're helpful, proactive and supportive, and they're willing to invest in creating the kind of pubs that continue to attract customers whatever the economic climate. Their investment in The Red Lion means this much-loved pub has a future instead of closing for good. We're positive about the future and are always open to expanding further if the right pub comes onto the market."

Star Pubs Investment Manager Lee Dishington adds: "We're delighted to be investing in the reopening of such a historic pub. Simon and Charlotte are ideal partners. They have an excellent knowledge of the area, understand what local people want and have already successfully reopened two other pubs nearby."