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Stratford-upon-Avon draws visitors for many reasons – from Shakespeare to shopping – and now, newly-refurbished pub The Bull can be added to the list of must-visit places in the town.

The Bull, in Bull Street, has just been relaunched following a £120,000 investment by Everards. Work to the pub - which dates back to 1834 – has included new décor featuring a warm colour palette, new furniture, upgraded kitchen equipment and an increased hand pull selection.

The Bull is run by business owner Tom Deacon, who took over at the start of August. Tom has brought with him a wealth of experience, having spent the last 17 years of his career at another Everards pub, The Stamford Arms at Groby.

“I started as a glass collector when I was 16, then became a barman, then bar supervisor, then manager and finally general manager,” recalled Tom, who said he’s always had the desire to run his own pub, and when he was offered the chance to take on The Bull, he soon realised it was the perfect fit for him.

“I knew Stratford was a lovely place anyway, and as soon as I came to have a look at the site and I had a walk around the town, I fell in love with the place. I wanted to stay with Everards because I think it’s a great family-run business and I like their ethos on how they run pubs.

“I love how the pub looks now and the customers are really pleased with the changes. They really like the cosy feel of the place and the comfy new seating that’s been added.”

Although Stratford is well known as a tourist hotspot, Tom said The Bull – which is situated in a residential street a stone’s throw from the main shopping area – is particularly popular with the locals. He described it as a “hidden gem just off the beaten track”.

Tom has plans to enhance the offering for the community, with regular quiz nights and open mic nights among the events scheduled for the new year. He’s also planning to expand the recently launched ‘pub grub’ menu with specials set to be available soon.

Keen to showcase the pub’s cosy new look and its food and drink selection - including Everards’ popular Tiger ale along with three rotating guest ales - Tom hosted a drinks and nibbles event for local residents. Among those attending were former publicans John and Lilian Marshall, who were full of praise for Tom and the pub.

“John said: We’ve lived in Stratford for just over 10 years and we’ve been coming to this pub off and on all that time. It’s been under different ownerships which haven’t always been good, but since Everards took it on and put a very good manager on, we’ve been coming here twice a week.

“Everards have turned the pub around and everyone we’ve spoken to locally have said the same. It’s a real asset to the neighbourhood.

Lilian added: “You see a lot of regulars now. We come in and have a drink and a chat. We come in here in the evening and the seats are full now, and that’s never been the case before.”

Talking about Everards’ decision to purchase The Bull, MD Andy Wilson said: “We always like to pick pubs in the heart of the community, and this is right in the heart of the community.

“We knew we needed a business owner here who is into their community, which Tom is. We thought we’d let him get settled in, then see what he wanted to do with the pub – and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve still got some investment to do, like improving the garden at the back. We’ve done part one, and that will be part two.

“What we really like about this place is Shakespeare. We want to link up with local businesses and particularly the Church around the corner, where he’s buried. We’ve given a nod to Shakespeare all around the pub, and it would be great for tourists to come in and see a ‘proper English pub.’”