Cozy Pub Company sets target of 10 openings in five years

The company, co-founded by Leanne Langman and her partner, former Orchid Pub Company operations director Paul Cutsforth, opened The Eight Bells in Saffron Walden and The Cricketers, between Saffron Walden and Stansted Airport around a year ago.

Peach Pub Company​

Langman, who previously worked for Peach Pub Company for seven years in four different pubs and is also the sister of Peach founder Lee Cash, said Cozy Pubs had taken advice from friends and family already in the pub industry.

“My brother Lee is always at the end of the phone. He came with us to look at The Eight Bells and thought it was really good site. I think he’s proud of what we’ve done,” she said.

“The two pubs work well alongside each other. We are able to accommodate wedding guests at The Cricketers and when one pub is full for Sunday lunch we can direct customers to our second venue,” Langman said.

The original Peach Pub Company backer, Tim Doyle, is also involved with the Cozy Pub Company, which is already close to running a third site in Essex - an unnamed free-of-tie hotel venue.

50 per cent trading increase​

The company looked at 30 pubs before coming across The Eight Bells and investing £70k in a refurb at the site before the re-opening in December 2010. Langman also chose to snap up the Cricketers after learning Punch Taverns also had a vacancy there.

Menu tastings, cocktail making classes, quizzes and tapas nights have led to upturns in business for the business, according to the company. The Eight Bells saw a 50 per cent trading increase in December 2011 from a year ago.

Jean Paul Russek, business relationship manager for Punch Taverns, said the future plans for the business also looked good.

“Cozy Pub Company has turned The Eight Bells and The Cricketers into wonderful, warm and welcoming venues serving top quality food. We think the company is going to be even more successful going forward,” he said.