When Julie & Nick stepped back behind the bar at The Old Black Horse, it wasn’t just a return to pulling pints - it was a return to a place they’ve long called home.
Business owners Julie Hardman and Nick Mitchell have been enthusiastically welcomed by regulars at The Old Black Horse in Houghton on the Hill - and not for the first time.
The couple have recently taken on the popular Leicestershire village pub for the second time, and according to Julie, they are thrilled to be back.
"We originally moved here just over 17 years ago, left just over 10 years ago and then came back in October!" explains Julie.
After deciding to take a break to spend more time with their three children, the couple moved from Houghton to Lincoln, where they later ran their own pub for five years. However, Houghton on the Hill was never far from their hearts and minds, and the couple stayed in touch with friends they had made there.
So, when Julie and Nick noticed that The Old Black Horse was available again last year, they decided to investigate a possible return to the pub.
"I made contact with Steve at Everards, and he called back and said 'I hear you're interested in a pub again' and I said 'no, we're interested in one pub!'"
By October 2024, the duo were back behind the bar - much to the delight of the village residents.
"We've had a massive warm welcome. We were welcomed back with open arms," says Julie, who adds that it is an honour to be custodians of the village pub, which has such a central role in the life of Houghton on the Hill.
"This is the heart of the village. All of the clubs and social groups meet in the pub - the book club, the photographic society, bowls club, cricket club."
As well as being a place for the community to meet up, Nick and Julie are hoping to put The Old Black Horse on the map thanks to its food - much of which is made from scratch by Nick, including pies, with fillings including steak and Stilton and pulled pork, apple and stuffing.
"We do a pie night on a Thursday, which is very well supported, as is Sunday lunch," says Julie, adding that Nick also does an “amazing” smash burger and fish and chips with homemade tartare sauce.
Talking about working with Everards again, Julie says: "They've been really good, and I think they've got a nice philosophy - focusing on being a family-run brewery. We definitely get the support we need. We worked with Steve for seven years when we were here the first time and we're back working with him again, and he's been great."
According to Julie, there are plans to "freshen up" the building with an external paint job. Her and Nick are also hoping to introduce some outdoor entertainment in the summer, to make the most of the large rear garden.
"It feels like we're back home, adds Julie, "We've got lots of friends and family in the area and this is a really special village. It's a proper old-fashioned community where people look out for one another, and we're really glad to be back here."
Interested in running a pub? Give us a call 0116 201 4260 or get in touch here.
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