Kilsby pub The George set to reopen near Rugby

Published by

Sam Pither

The George in Kilsby, near Rugby, is set to reopen for the first time in three years, having been extensively renovated.

The opening follows a £330,000 investment by Star Pubs & Bars.

The business will be run by Midlands-based chef Hari Shankararkrishnamurthy, who said: “When I first saw The George I knew it was the perfect place to open my first restaurant and I’m delighted to have the support of Star Pubs & Bars who have seen the pub’s potential to become a serious restaurant.

“I know there has been a lot of love for The George in the past from local residents and those further afield and I can’t wait to open the doors and provide an experience worth waiting for.”

Chef Hari has extensive culinary experience covering a range of international cuisines. Orignally classically trained in India, he spent six months working in a three Michelin-Star restaurant in Vonnas, France. His previous experience also includes Resorts World, Selfridges and Mowgli, alongside two years working on cruise ships.

The George will focus on using locally sourced produce, including sausages from Birmingham’s AW Lashford, meat from Brackley and Buckingham butchers Smith & Clay, and seafood from Cornwall’s Flying Fish. He also plans to hire chefs from both the local area and his native country.

Complimenting the new menu, The George has also undergone a full renovation by Concept Design, who are listed by Companies House as based in Birmingham. Original features such as the parquet flooring and Elizabethan-style windows, gables and chimneys have been renovated to retain the character of the former coaching inn.

The interior space has been restructured to allow for a central bar, creating a large open space for guests and a more accessible working environment for front of house staff.

The George is set to reopen on 25 July. The pub will be open from 12 – 10:30pm Monday to Thursday, 12 – 11pm Friday and Saturday, and 12-10pm on Sunday, with the kitchen operating a reduced schedule between these times.

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.