Graham Earl Dennett has lived in the village of Grappenall for 20 years and The Rams Head Inn has always been his local.  When he was offered the chance to take over the lease in 2004 he jumped at the chance.

Graham explains “I could always see the potential and had lots of ideas for the place but knew the pub needed major development work for it to be a real success.”

Punch had the same vision and with Graham’s fixtures and fittings at £135,000, the total investment spend came in at just under £700,000 – Punch’s biggest development project in the North West. 

Designers were briefed to put forward plans to extend the premises to increase trade whilst maintaining the atmosphere and unique character of the pub which is set in a quiet conservation area and listed as being of architectural and historical importance to the village.

Graham explains: “It was important that the development was carried out in keeping with the local surroundings, but that brought its own set of challenges!”

“There were issues with layout and planners rejected some of the proposals, but after much negotiation and rethinking we got the go ahead and could get to work” he adds.

Graham took a very hands on approach to the development and was on-site throughout the project.  “It was good to be able to keep my eye on it all and put my ideas across”

“I have to admit there were times when I looked around and thought ‘what have we done!’ but the sleepless nights and the stress have all been worth it now we can see the transformation” says Graham.

The exterior of the pub was transformed with exposed brick and large roof light areas at the rear and a traditional panelled area at the front. The interior is stylish, yet traditional with real fires and a welcoming country inn feel.  There is a small local’s bar and a stunning central bar with the original Rams Head carvings.

Not easy being green!

In addition to the layout challenges, the proposed electrical loading for the completed development was in excess of the incoming supply and there was a shortage of power in the village which suffered from black outs. 

Graham explains: “The solution we came up with was to install a Combined Heat and Power Unit (CHP) which means that we generate our own heat and electricity and at times of low usage we actually export it back to the national grid.  As far as I know we’re the only pub to do this.”

And the pub is trying to reduce their carbon footprint in other ways too, says Graham: “We also use an LPG converted vehicle for all our collections, we recycle all waste glass and cardboard, we recycle cooking oil to produce fuel oil, we grow our own herbs and use locally sourced products where possible.”

Launch to the future

Now the project is completed Graham and his team have had some great feedback from locals and the business is thriving. 

The private dining room offers good value, quality, home-cooked British food and the pub has also achieved a Cask Marque accreditation at the maximum score of 120 out of 120 so offers a range of quality cask ales.   With function rooms and letting bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, it has the full package.

The Mayor of Warrington officially opens the doors to the pub on 11th February and local press, regular customers and suppliers will join the celebrations.