Bob’s first taste for micropubs came from being a customer at the Chequered Flag, previously owned by Mick and Caroline. Mr.Sandham covered the micropub for the couple while they were on a holiday as he has former landlord experience. After this, due to health issues, the couple were unable to sustain the business and Bob bought the micropub from the couple.
Bob said that he would never go back to the pub industry however, 10 years later, micropubs revitalised Bob’s passion. Although the Chequered Flag was already established, Bob brought some welcome changes to the pub, such as longer hours and a larger selection of beers, along with quality wines from a wine merchant.
Since running the micropub, Bob wanted to open a second micropub of his own, located in Long Eaton, providing the town with their first micropub.
He said: “Long Eaton had a very limited real ale presence and a poor reputation but with a population of 44,000 and Erewash CAMRA crying out for a micropub and everyone saying nobody had the guts to invest in a project of this kind in the town, my enthusiasm was stirred”
Mr. Sandham converted a former cafe just last month, providing Long Eaton with their first micropub the ‘York Chambers‘.
He said: “My thoughts were always to find another venue and it was just as question of finding the right site.
“The then closed Rendezvous Cafe was ideally situated, with great visibility and communication routes. Once inside, I fell in love with the Grade II-listed building architecture.”
The new micropub is managed by a friend of Bob’s, Andy Coventry, alongside Andy Marshall, who was recommended by the local licensing officer.