Meet Proud Garden Pub Owners
Four in ten Brits dream of running their own pub, according to recent research by Star Pubs and Bars. The local pub is a cherished escape from daily life, so it’s no surprise that many love the idea of owning and running one. For two Malvern Garden Building owners, this dream is a reality. Meet Andy of “The Dunn Inn” and Bruce of “The Moles Arms”—both proud garden pub owners.
The Dunn Inn
Andy bought his Studio Apex with the sole purpose of turning it into a pub. He even picked the spot for the Dunn Inn—a clever play on his surname—when they moved into their new house in 2018.
“I have always loved the German markets’ style lodges, so the plan was to keep the internal tongue-and-groove lining natural,” Andy explains.
To bring his vision to life, Andy added crates to the walls to display important sports memorabilia and his much-loved brewery tin signs. His comfy chair and side table have pride of place, and a small sofa fits neatly into the space. Andy also constructed a cupboard for the TV and consoles, along with additional storage.
“Once the building was in place, the trick was to maximise the space for what I wanted,” Andy says. “Making sure the bar wasn’t too big, leaving room for a decent-sized fridge, ensuring there was seating and storage space, and having an area for a small TV for sporting events and retro games consoles.”
Andy ran electricity from the nearby garage and recently decided to lay laminate flooring to help with spillages and provide warmth in winter, though he regrets not doing this first.
The fridge to hold plenty of beer was a top priority, although he didn’t quite have room for a double fridge. He settled on a perfect draft machine that offers plenty of choices and eliminates the need for a full cooling system. However, he has considered turning the shed section at the back of the building into a cold room.
For an authentic pub experience, Andy knew he needed a TV, music, and enough seating in case of poor weather. There’s also a mock log burner to make it warm and cosy in the winter months, but in good weather, regulars have exclusive use of the beer (back) garden.
“We are big into craft beer, so we mainly serve that, but I make sure there are multiple variations of spirits and mixers for cocktails. When it comes to snacks, we usually have a wide range, but you can’t beat a pile of peanuts and pork scratchings,” Andy says.
The Dunn Inn has become a big hit with friends and family, who are always interested to see what new beers are in the fridge or on tap. They also enjoy the snacks and aren’t afraid to ring the bell for top-ups.
Numerous birthday parties have been celebrated and pre/post-football match debates won and lost in Andy’s pub shed. It also provided a much-needed escape during the pandemic.
So, what practical advice would Andy give to others considering opening their own watering hole in their back garden?
“First thing, size matters. Think about the overall space internally the bar needs and space for seating, or even if you want seating or not. Get power to the building first, understand what lighting you need, and plug sockets. Another big consideration, and one I should have thought of, is whether you need a water supply because washing glasses involves a bit of back and forth, and a sink would be very handy.
The final thing, but maybe the first, includes to really think about the ambient temperature inside the building during the hotter and colder months. My building faces south, and generous windows make it rather toasty in the summer.”
The Moles Arms
When Bruce’s mum passed away, she left him the end of her garden in her will. Bruce and his wife decided to create a special garden in her memory.
“During lockdown, we would sit at the end of her garden in the evening sun and enjoy a drink together, so it seemed fitting to create a space where we, along with family and friends, could remember her and create new memories.”
The existing shed in the garden wasn’t big enough, so they decided to build a pub. Bruce designed and costed the project, getting quotes from various garden room and building suppliers. Bruce decided to go with the Bloomsbury garden retreat from Malvern Garden Buildings.
“I cleared and prepared the area, built the concrete base, and re-landscaped and planted the whole area. Malvern Garden Buildings erected the building professionally. We had mains electricity, internet, and Sky television installed, along with a traditional styled heating system.”
The aim was to create a pub reflecting Bruce’s mum’s character and what she would’ve wanted. They opted for a cosy, characterful interior with sumptuous old leather chairs and beautiful wooden antique armchairs that Bruce restored. The chairs have lovely thick sheepskin seats. Various objects and collectibles are placed around the pub, giving it a woody and earthy characteristic. The walls are whitewashed, and the lighting comes from old-fashioned oversized bulbs and spun copper shades.
The garden pub has signage to create an authentic feel, including a ‘Moles Arms’ sign hanging outside. Inside, there’s a selection of pub memorabilia, and above the door, a traditional licence plaque with the couple’s name on it. There are optics on the wall and a large television screen above an antique fireplace. The attention to detail is second-to-none, with drinks mats and laser-etched glasses with the Moles Arms logo. In addition, the garden pub boasts an ice machine and has a supply of thick blankets to keep ‘patrons’ warm if the traditional stove is not sufficient.
“We have a huge selection of gin, rum, whiskey, various liquors for cocktails, and a large selection of craft beers. We keep a range of snacks in tall glass containers, including nuts, crisps, pork scratchings, jellybeans, pretzels, and always a bar of chocolate in the beer fridge.”
The seating is mainly around a table made from a whiskey barrel top, which has the Moles Arms logo laser-etched into it. Behind the seating is the bar, which Bruce made from old timbers. Outside, there is an area for relaxed seating and another area where people can sit around a high table with high barstools surrounded by beautiful plants under a pergola. The pergola roof features Bruce’s old surfboards, providing cover and a rustic surf vibe.
“Whenever friends and family see the pub, they are absolutely gobsmacked and cannot believe something so beautiful is hidden away at the end of our garden. We have a blackboard outside to welcome people to the Moles Arms.
We’ve had memorable times at the Moles Arms, including reunions with old school friends and watching major sporting events on Sky television.”
Bruce’s Top Tips for Building a Garden Pub
- Plan Thoroughly: Don’t rush into any decision. Spend time planning and looking at different pub designs on the internet and Pinterest. Consider all aspects carefully.
- Quality Materials: Build with quality materials and use decent insulation and soundproofing. An efficient heating system is crucial for year-round use.
- Proper Electrical System: Install a proper electrical system to run the fridge 24/7 and safely operate plug sockets and lighting.
- Themed Furniture: Invest wisely in furniture to maintain a consistent theme without it looking like a second-hand shop.
- Choose the Right Name: The name adds character and meaning. Bruce named his ‘The Moles Arms’ in memory of my mum, inspired by an affectionate joke about her hands and her fondness for cuddles.
Building a garden pub has been a real labour of love for Bruce, so was it all worth it?
“It has been incredibly rewarding, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone considering it. The Moles Arms is a tribute to my mum and a place where we continue to create wonderful memories.”
