Historic Marlow pub to reopen after a multi-million-pound refurbishment

A historic Marlow pub is set to reopen next summer following an acquisition and a multi-million-pound refurbishment.

The George & Dragon on The Causeway in Marlow ceased operation on Monday, August 5 and was integrated into the neighbouring Premier Inn.

But hospitality group Heartwood Collection confirmed it has acquired The George & Dragon from Premier Inn owner Whitbread PLC this week.

Heartwood Collection CEO Richard Ferrier said they were ‘delighted’ to acquire the ‘iconic’ pub, adding: “We have tracked them for a long time so to get them over the line is really pleasing. We will now invest significant time and capital in them.

“Marlow is such a beautiful riverside town which is also easily accessible to visitors from London and further afield.

“It's buzzy, foodie and filled with wonderful walks not just along the Thames but also in the countryside of the nearby Chiltern Hills.

“It has also just won Buckinghamshire’s Best Kept Village award, so it really is a very special place.”

Mr Ferrier said the interior of the pub and dining room will be completely redesigned while ‘respecting its wonderful history and undertaking the work in line with its listed status’.

“It will very much feel like a pub and a home from home for locals and visitors to the area alike,” he added.

“We have a hugely talented in-house designer Inge Watrobski who has worked with us for many years. She understands our brand and effortlessly designs spaces that you just want to spend time in.

“We do a lot of research into the area and the pub itself to ensure that we bring an element of this into our designs and, with Marlow’s rich history, its literary connections, its location on the Thames and the beautiful surrounding countryside, we are looking forward to doing the same with the pub.”

The 17 bedrooms will be updated with Heartwood’s style including Bramley toiletries, Roberts Radios and bedding from Secret Linen Store and the Fine Bedding Company.

The bar and dining room offers 200 internal and 50 external covers, and all the dining and drinking spaces are open to the public – not just guests staying in accommodation.

“We are very much a local pub and want locals to feel at home,” Mr Ferrier added.

“With a team of skilled chefs in the kitchen, guests can expect freshly-cooked dishes that include pub classics alongside more contemporary dishes that celebrate suppliers such as Aubrey Allen, butcher to the Royal Family.”

The company will look to recruit locally where possible.

Mr Ferrier said: “The George & Dragon is very much for the local community of Marlow. We want it to be a pub they can call their local and we want to be involved in supporting the town as well.

“We will have 17 bedrooms so of course we will attract guests from further afield and that’s great but, ultimately, we want to be a friendly and welcoming pub that you can bring your children to, come for a date, celebrate a special occasion or simply have a lovely time.”