After a very successful first month of April, life at the pub is continuing. New management has settled in and the building has welcomed them with open arms. Of course that does not mean that the building isn’t always in need of attention. It’s old and needs TLC on a rolling basis.

So this month we are refurbishing the potwash, cold store and corridor. All to ensure that service is tip-top. We start the month of May with the May Bank Holiday over the course of 1-4th of May. The weather will hopefully support sunny days in the garden. With a special Bank Holiday ‘blow-out’ on May 4th.

Then, on May 10 and 11 , the potwash area is being prepared for the floors to be renewed. We will fit stainless steel panels to the wall for easy wipe-down and protection. This work will happen on the Sunday evening and all day on Monday so that normal service hours are not affected.

Then, the week after that, on May 17/18, the floors will go in to make sure that everything is fully op-to-spec. The current floors have some cracks that need to be repaired.

All this work is being supported by local trades and volunteers. Flooring, Builders, Plumbers, Residenst of Horningsea – You know who you are! The CIC thanks everyone who is working hard and making time in their schedules. It is very much appreciated.

So here’s the schedule:

• 3/4 May: May bank Holiday weekend – Come visit!
• 10/11 May: Prep work to make ready for flooring
• 17/18 May: Fit flooring

Operation: New Chapter (Very Nearly There…)

Pull up a chair. We’ve got some very good news… and a few dates you’ll definitely want in your diary.

First Things First — A Huge Thank You

Before anything else, we want to say this loud and clear:

We truly could not have done this without the outgoing tenants.

They have been responsive, kind, professional and incredibly supportive throughout.

They’ve worked closely with both the CIC and the incoming tenants to make sure this transition goes smoothly. That’s exactly why we’re able to achieve something quite special:

• Closing on Sunday 29th March (Open for drinks)
• Reopening on Friday 3rd April (Good Friday)

That kind of turnaround would not have been possible unless people care about the pub!

A Proper Send-Off

Before they hand over the reins, there are a couple of chances to say thank you:

• Thursday night quiz: one last battle of wits
• Leaving do on Saturday 28th March: all are welcome

Come along, raise a glass, and give the team the send-off they deserve.

A big thank you to Maria, Luke, Chris, Hayden, Jules, Ollie, Freddie (and anyone I might be forgetting! – Sorry.)

The Four-Day Turnaround (Brace Yourselves…)

Between closing and reopening (Monday → Thursday), the pub will be a hive of activity.

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

• New kitchen equipment going in:
  • Induction cooker range
  • Griddle
  • Microwave
  • Prep table
  • Fryer
• Full deep clean
• Full CIC inventory stock take
• Heineken servicing the cellar and pumps
• Deliveries of food and drink arriving
• The patio getting a refresh (weather permitting we’ll be able to enjoy a drink in the garden this Easter…)
• And many, many more things…

In short: a lot of hard work in a very short space of time.

Reopening: Friday 3rd April (Good Friday)

And then… we open the doors again.

We’re delighted to welcome Adam, Lucy and the new team — and you might spot a few familiar faces too.

They’ve been working flat out to get everything ready, including:

• Launching their new menu
• Setting up the kitchen and bar
• Getting ready for full service

Easter Weekend Plans (Yes, There Will Be Roasts)

The Big Picture

This has been a huge team effort. From outgoing tenants… To incoming tenants… To directors… To all of you supporting along the way… This is what a community pub looks like in action.

What Happens Next?

Simple: We reopen. We welcome. We raise a glass together.

And the next chapter begins.

Until then… Support your local. Show up. And never underestimate the power of a good pub and good people.

The Plough & Fleece CIC Team

horningseacic@ploughandfleece.co.uk

www.ploughandfleece.co.uk

Community Survey

You Spoke. We Listened. We’re Hungry Now.

Firstly — a huge THANK YOU to everyone who filled in our community survey. We had 28 responses, and the message came through loud and clear:

You want your pub back. You want it warm, welcoming and full of life. And you definitely want pub grub.

The Vibe Check

An overwhelming majority of you (almost everyone!) chose:

“Village pub. Honest, affordable menu, good drinks, village events.”

In fact:

• 15 of you wanted a pure proper village pub
• Most of the rest said “village pub… but also with a bit of country inn sparkle”
• A few added: cosy lighting, sofas, good smells, welcoming above all

Translation?
You want somewhere that feels like:

• A crackling fire
• A decent pint
• Friendly faces
• The kind of place where you pop in for one and stay for three

What’s On? (Spoiler: Quite a Lot)

You are clearly a competitive bunch. The runaway favourite event was: Quiz Night with 23 votes!

Closely followed by:

• Darts & pub games (20)
• Beer festivals (18)
• Live music (17)
• Music bingo (17)
• Outdoor BBQs (17)
• Book club (15)
• Open music nights (15)
• Coffee mornings (13)

And yes, crafting, knitting, pétanque, warm hubs, and even the occasional sport on TV got a nod.

In short:
You don’t just want a pub. You want a community hub. A lively, slightly competitive, occasionally musical, gravy-powered hub.

Let’s Talk Food (Important)

Your food feedback was beautifully consistent.

You asked for:

• Proper pub grub
• Hearty British classics
• Pies
• Scampi
• Gammon
• Sunday roasts
• Local produce
• Vegetarian options
• No “jus”
• No “foam”
• And absolutely, unquestionably… PUB GRUB

One of you summed it up perfectly:

“Pub grub. No jus or foams. Gravy! Proper home-made food.”

Opening Days & Practical Wisdom                    

Some helpful nuggets from your comments:

• Maybe don’t open Monday or Tuesday at first
• Be different from nearby pubs
• Keep it affordable
• Make it welcoming to everyone

We appreciate the realism — and the gentle reminders that this is your pub.

The Big Takeaway

The survey tells us something really encouraging:

This isn’t about creating a flashy “destination restaurant.” It’s about restoring a proper village local — one that feels like it belongs to Horningsea.

A place for:

• After-walk pints
• Family lunches
• Friendly rivalries
• Community events
• And the kind of conversations that can only happen across a wooden pub table

What Happens Next?

We’ll be using this feedback as we:

• Choose a new tenant
• Shape the menu
• Plan events

And we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.

If you’d like to get involved, volunteer, or simply be first to hear updates — keep an eye out for the next newsletter.

Until then…

Stay cosy. Keep the fire burning and never underestimate the importance of cozy.

The Plough & Fleece Update

Operation: New Landlord (Almost Complete…)

Pull up a chair — we’ve got news.

As many of you know, the search for new tenants officially began back in January 2026. Armed with your survey results (and a very clear instruction to protect the sacred institution of the village pub), we set out to find the right people to take the Plough & Fleece forward.

Spreading the Word

We didn’t whisper about it — we shouted (politely):

• Facebook
• Local radio
• Local newspapers
• Flyers in the pub
• Word of mouth (the village’s most powerful marketing tool)

And it worked.

The Contenders

We had eight serious enquiries for the tenancy — which is fantastic news for a village pub.

After careful conversations and plenty of tea-fuelled (OK, there might have been some ale…) meetings:

• Two strong forerunners emerged
• One has come out on top

Now — and this is important — bear with us while we finalise the paperwork. As they say in the pub trade (and the legal trade): It isn’t done until it’s done. But we’re nearly there.

How We Chose

We didn’t roll dice. We didn’t arm-wrestle. The new tenants were selected based on:

• Experience running pubs
• Knowledge of the local area
• A genuine understanding of the “proper village pub vibe” you asked for in the survey
• Willingness to work collaboratively with us

We’ve worked hard — in close conversation with the prospective tenants — to make sure this next chapter stays true to what you told us you want.

Cosy. Welcoming. Affordable. Community-focused.
And a YES to pub-grub!

Getting Ready

Behind the scenes, we’re making sure the pub is fighting fit and ready to hit the ground running.

The aim is to reopen on:

April 1^st (or, very sensibly, Friday April 3rd – Good Friday)

The goal? Minimum disruption. Maximum smooth pint-pouring.

A Word About the Outgoing Tenants

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to the outgoing tenants.

They have:

• Been extremely helpful during the transition
• Worked constructively with us
• Done a great job over the past two years

Transitions are never simple, and we truly appreciate their professionalism and support.

And yes… There Will Be a New Menu

The new tenants will be bringing their own menu — crafted to reflect the feedback from the survey and their own experience.

We can’t reveal details just yet (where’s the fun in that?), but rest assured, it will feel like a proper village pub. And we are optimistic about the pub-grub situation.

What Happens Next?

Final paperwork. Final checks. Final polish. We’ll share more details very soon — including a proper introduction to the new tenants.

Thank you, as always, for your patience, support and enthusiasm. This pub belongs to the community — and it’s your involvement that makes it special.

The next chapter is nearly here.

Watch this space…

— The Plough & Fleece CIC Team

Contact

If you would like to contact the CIC, please send an email to: horningseacic@ploughandfleece.co.uk

There are plenty of things to get on with and we could use your help.