The Brackley pub with a community spirit

After several weeks of both internal modifications and external alterations, the Chequered Flag has officially re-opened and is now part of Marston’s Generous George franchise.

The refurbishments have been bought about, not by a need to revitalise a struggling business, but by the desire of current proprietors, Nicky and Rob Jones to become a focal point for the community.

Rob said: “We had had the pub for about a year and had taken trade up to where it is now.

“It’s in a good location to build on so we pushed really hard for the upgrades. We wanted to give the community a pub to be proud of.”

In addition to the revamp the pub staff have been venturing out into Brackley to give their time to other community projects.

Rob said: “We went down to the local Bracken Leas Primary School and we spent a Sunday afternoon and turned it from all overgrown and all the rest of it and cleaned it up and put a giant sandpit in.

“Part of the Generous George brand is we go into the community and this was our first generous act.”

In total the refurbishment has cost in the region of £350,000 and includes a pizza bar, a fresh ice cream parlour, a children’s area with interactive screens and toys and a bar area with large screen TVs and a pool table.

The pub has also employed upwards of 15 new staff who underwent training in the week prior to the public opening.

Geoff Overall, project manager during the refit, said: “It’s been a nice easy job for us. The ‘Generous’ is there for a reason it’s not just about the pub, it’s about the team, the staff and a whole package of things which is built into the training.”

The pub is open from 11am daily.