High flier in catering Marc taking'¨this historic Bull by the horns...

Marc, who was previously at Haighton Manor, in Haighton near Preston, has 
reopened the historic White Bull in Ribchester to a big welcome from the Friends of the pub.

Following its recent chequered history, the Friends got together to campaign to save the White Bull in Church Street and also fight against any development plans.

Friends’ convenor Marc Mallam revealed that at their last meeting the Inns’ senior management felt the latest takeover was a ‘last chance saloon’ for the historic pub before considering applying for residential development and putting it on the market.

Now Marc Bond, his family, his team including head chef Dan Edwards, bar manager Paul Thorpe, and others from his previous hostelry have taken the reins and they have been delighted with the response.

Marc says: “It must have felt very frustrating for people in Ribchester with this fantastic pub opening and shutting and almost succeeding and just as quickly closing without warning.

“There has been a lot of anger aimed at the brewery that owned the building but I don’t think it is all justified.

“You have to have ideas to operate in a tough market place.

“I am really pleased from the very first day, it has been everything we wanted and more.

“We offer great food and great service and we have got the things you need to have: experience and determination.

“So we will keep on going long term.

“If the locals are happy to have us , we’re more than happy to be here.”

It is a viewpoint the Friends have welcomed and Marc and his 15-strong team have 
wasted no time in adding their own stamp.

The kitchen headed by Dan is currently being upgraded and restructured to help 
cater their ambitious plans and they’re also recruiting an additional chef.

Marc adds: “We had planned an upgrade and
 re-equipping of the kitchen, the response has meant we have taken it on straight away, so we are extending the space.

“We have a really concientious and hardworking team and it’s great we have been given such a warm welcome.”

Working front of house is Paul Thorpe, who lives on site and has worked alongside Marc for the past 10 years.

Dan, who also lives on site with his young family, served as head chef at the Manor for four years.

Marc adds: “When we left the Manor we were looking at something to get our teeth into to demonstrate what we can do.

“The White Bull was a great opportunity”.

Marc began his career in radio, but retrained as a pilot before becoming a professional operator in catering and provision supply both abroad and nationally.

It was running his airline business out of Blackpool Airport which brought him to Lancashire.

The White Bull is now an important addition to his family business, Hospitality Excellence Ltd.

And in his plans, further expansion of the 18th century former coaching inn – datestone 1707 – to take the accomomodation from three rooms to eight.

He says: “This is a great project for me there is so much potential.

“I believe we have the best spot in the village.

“You drive down the road and see this building and it takes your breath away.

“It presents a real opportunity in the community to get people in on short holidays, local accommodation for wedding guests or business travellers.