I recently enjoyed a relaxed conversation with Mike Carne, manager of the newly refurbished and renamed The Airs and Graces pub, in the building that was previously known as The Sudeley Arms.
‘I was born and raised in Evesham and moved to London to work, where I spent ten years gaining experience in the hospitality industry. I trained as a chef and was lead pastry chef with Gordon Ramsay for two years, during which time he opened Bread Street Kitchen, then Petrus and his 3 Michelin-Star restaurant Gordon Ramsay. I then moved to work front of house in nightclubs and cocktail bars.
‘A year before the pandemic hit, I decided to return to Cheltenham and, still FOH, began to work for The Cosy Club Group in the Brewery Quarter. Covid was a difficult struggle for the industry, but we survived and after three years there, as their Drinks Development Manager creating new cocktails, I joined the Alchemist with responsibilities for developing and enriching their events programme. I heard that The Dodo Pub Company was redeveloping the former Sudeley Arms and looking for a manager. After meeting Fred, the Director of Operations, I was delighted to be offered the post. I started work in March 2024 while the venue was still a building site. We gutted the whole ground floor, relocating the bar, kitchen area and the toilets, making the ground floor more open. In addition we created a function room on the first floor alongside our unisex loos. This leaves the top floor as a smaller living space.
‘The heart of The Dodo Pub Company ethos is one I am personally committed to. They aim to create truly friendly neighbourhood pubs that locals can walk into anytime and grab an honest plate of food and a drink. They have been in business doing just that for 15 years and remain a self-funded, independent, 8-strong group of community-driven pubs. The bosses, Chris and Leo, know all my team here by name – three full-time and six part-time FOH and three kitchen crew – and visit often to encourage us.
‘Our goal is to reflect the interests of and involve the whole community here in Pittville. We have been delighted that our demographic is proving to be a wide one. We regularly see young families enjoying the food, books and board games. Local university students are often in for the cocktails, and all ages have taken part in our hugely successful, fortnightly Tuesday Quiz Nights. We also have a rapidly expanding “Pawll of Fame” gallery of pooches who have brought their owners in so they can be photographed! Whilst here the owners have enjoyed their choice of local beers, ciders or spirits and snacks or a pizza from our menu.
‘In response to popular request we recently provided a projector and screen upstairs to enable special televised events to be enjoyed. We are also discussing a link-up with a local charity to offer them support for their fundraising events or space for their meetings. If you have thoughts about what your local can offer you, why not pop in for a chat? It would be great to see you.’
Author: John Holloway