Businessmen form pub company as they take on second Punch site

Two businessmen have set up a new company to run two pubs in the East Midlands.

James Bull and business partner Ross Tunaley have set up Distinctive Inns after their first opening, the Riverside pub and kitchen in Farndon (pictured) proved a success. The pub re-opened as the Riverside after a £500,000 joint investment with Punch Taverns.

The company has now taken on another Punch site, an unnamed pub in Nottingham, where there are plans to make another £500,000 joint investment.

Before opening the Riverside, Bull spent 13 years working for Probably a Pub Company as its business development manager - the company specialises in investing in run-down pubs. Meanwhile Tunaley has a background in finance.

Bull said: "The Riverside was a run-down village pub but is now has a really contemporary feel to it while being very much a village pub. We held back on the marketing at first to ensure the offer was right. But once we were happy with every aspect we've never looked back."

One successful offer to customers have been a Monday to Friday, noon to 6.30pm deal offering two courses for £9.95 and three courses for £11.95, which has kept the pub full at most lunchtimes.

Punch business relationship manager Jon Harris said: "James and Ross have done a fantastic job at the Riverside - and we're looking forward to working with them on their next opening."

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By Neil Gerrard

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