27 Nov 2023
The village of Sandridge has undergone something of a renaissance over the past month, and more positive developments are promised in the weeks ahead.
Having closed its doors during the Covid pandemic, the much-loved Heartwood Tearooms reopened for business at the start of November following a major redesign internally, both to increase the number of customers it could host and make serving easier.
Owners Sharon and Dave Hearn have run the village shop for the past 18 years, and when they opened the Tearooms in 2017 it proved a phenomenal success with villagers and visitors alike, and then Covid hit.
“We couldn’t do one way in, one way out, and there wasn’t the room for social distancing,” Sharon explained. The building, which dates back to 1690, just could not be adapted to meet government guidelines.
“The shop went mental though, it was just so busy!” Dave added.
In response to constant demand for the Tearooms’ resurrection, the couple eventually relented after investing in a major revamp.
“We never expected it to be so busy when we originally opened,” said Sharon. “We were new to the service industry then but we learned a lot and following the revamp it’s now easier to move around and serve people. We actually have more tables but more room as they’re square rather than round now.”
Previously Sharon often found herself called in to help out during busy periods, but she is now able to take a step back thanks to the remarkable team working there.
“They are so passionate, for them it’s more than a job. They all came from the Street Café in St Albans, which has closed for refurbishment as an Italian restaurant, and they were all made redundant.
“Our menu is very similar to what they’re used to, and we even have the same chef.”
But although the Tearooms have started to welcome back some of their former customers, including Park Runners and cyclists, Sharon is convinced many people don’t know they’re reopened.
“We’re keen to let more people know that we’re back!” she added.
Meanwhile, at The Green Man, landlady Jo Crumpton has been celebrating winning the Best Pub or Bar category of the 2023 St Albans Food and Drink Awards.
“We’re over the moon!” she said, and when asked what it was that made them stand out in a very popular category, added: “We’re a small cosy pub where you can always be assured of a warm welcome. We have massively loyal customers and very friendly staff, and we think our menu ticks all the boxes.”
The pub, which is also popular with walking groups and cyclists, includes a large garden featuring a view of the sun sinking over nearby Heartwood Forest, something else Jo feels adds to their offering.
Former payroll manager Jo and husband Martin, a former IT consultant, took over the lease four and a half years ago, and won the same Food and Drink award in 2019, before being plunged into the traumas of the Covid pandemic.
“I look back now and wonder how we got through it,” she mused. “It was very, very difficult with all the changing rules. We had a massive marquee in the car park at one point to expand our seating area, and when the last lockdown eased in April 2021 people were so eager to get out that we gave them blankets and hot water bottles so they could sit outside.”
Jo and Martin also reached the top 25 out of 1,350 pubs in brewery Punch Taverns’ Publican of the Year competition this year, so they must be doing something right.
She said they work very closely with their neighbours in the Tearooms: “There’s no animosity between us, we go to each other’s for food!”
Across the road, The Rose and Crown is undergoing a renovation of its own ahead of its reopening on December 11 in the hands of Teresa and Adrian Taylor, who have lived in the village for more than 13 and 30 years respectively.
Teresa explained why they have decided to take over the running of the pub: “The Rose and Crown has always held a huge place in our hearts, and although we have no direct experience within the hospitality sector, both Adrian and I have transferable skills that we feel would support us in our journey.
“I am employed part-time as HR and estates manager for FisherMann Pub Group and am responsible for 90 staff across the group including The Beehive in St Albans and The Engineer in Harpenden, so I have a good understanding of the industry sector and the day-to-day functionality and operation of pubs and their processes.
“Adrian has been the owner of KT-Marketing, a direct response media agency, for over 12 years, and has a deep understanding of cashflow and running a business. He possesses a network of web designers and developers and has an established social media presence and marketing team to bring on board.
“As avid frequenters of the Rose and Crown for many years, practically raising our children there, we have witnessed both the highs and lows of this beautiful village pub, and did not wish to see it fall into the hands of someone who would not love it in the way that we did, but also, those who would not have an understanding of the demographic of the village and its surroundings. We are excited to re-open the doors and welcome back our lovely locals, dog walkers, cyclists and friends who adore (and have missed) this pub.”
One of the key offerings at the relaunched pub will be its restaurant: “We are excited to have appointed the experience of the extremely talented Paul Cooke, whose unique skillset is derived from a progressive background in awardwinning, two star Michelin and AA Rosette rated restaurants including Tom Kerridge’s Hand and Flowers, Thompsons of St Albans, and most recently The Plough, Sleepshyde.
“Paul will be creating seasonal dishes reflecting both a modern British and European style and we simply cannot wait to unveil our new restaurant, whose a la carte menu will differ from that of the more traditional lunchtime service, but both at an equally high level of cuisine.”
She is clear about why customers should be excited about coming back to the pub: “We recognised that in order to rebuild the reputation of the Rose and Crown, a heavy level of investment was required by both of ourselves and the brewery, Stonegate, to return the pub back to its beautiful, former glory.
“We have ensured that the pub has retained its character throughout the course of the refurbishment, whilst enhancing the historic features that are loved by so many.
“We aim to ensure a fabulous selection of wines, cask ales and cold beer is available as well as a sumptuous menu to suit all budgets and ages.”
With so much focus on these three businesses, we must not forget the other pub in the village. The Queen’s Head, next to the medieval St Leonard’s Church, is a Grade II listed building boasting a spectacular interior featuring an arched roof, beams and standing timbers.
In contrast to the other pubs, the focus is very much on community events, just recently seeing Oktoberfest, a Halloween party and Beaujolais Nouveau Day.
Special thanks to Alicia Nelson for her help with this feature.
