The Beehive: a grand reopening and a reclaimed 'identity' for White Waltham pub

A White Waltham pub is preparing to host its ‘grand reopening’, having forged an ‘identity’ which is hoped to set it up for success for years to come.

The Beehive in Waltham Road underwent a management overhaul in September and has undergone a further transformation to its interior since the turn of the year.

A newly installed bar, refreshed floor plan with new seating, and a fresh coat of ‘studio green’ paint await guests for the celebrations on Saturday (January 31).

General manager Declan Wilkins told the Advertiser there was ‘excitement’ ahead of the day, with staff looking forward to seeing pub regulars return – and hopefully many new faces.

“The 31st is the big one,” Mr Wilkins said. “That is a day when we tell everyone we're here.”

The Beehive was taken over by proprietor of award-winning Holyport pub The Belgian Arms David Thompson last year, and Mr Wilkins, 30, was appointed the role of general manager.

Mr Wilkins worked at Tom Kerridge’s restaurants in London and the celebrity chef’s Michelin-starred restaurant the Hand and Flowers in Marlow for nearly eight years.

Mr Wilkins said: “The enjoyment is incredible, without a doubt.

“What I’ve always loved about the industry is that every day is different.

“You can have expectations, but every day is going to be different.

“Things are going happen, you're going to meet brand new people.

“That's always what I fell in love with the hospitality industry.

“Now, running a pub it’s challenging, of course it is. But it’s really rewarding.”

With tricks of the trade honed on the restaurant floor, including signature drinks like the whiskey and goose fat cocktail, Mr Wilkins hopes success will continue at The Beehive.

The Beehive had been run as pub and Indian restaurant prior to its new ownership taking over, and key to its revival has been reclaiming a ‘lost identity’, Mr Wilkins said.

That was an aim to put The Beehive’s regular punters back at the head of the table.

“You’re in the middle of a lovely village and the pub should be the hub of this village,” he said.

“For the last three months, we’ve tried to build up the foundations with the regulars again.

“The way that I look at it is they've gone to a different pub now for two years, a place where the bartender knows your name, knows your drink, all of that.

“It’s very hard for them to go, ‘Ok, why would I drink in your pub?’

“For us, it was about building back the reputation and in my opinion, we've done that.

“We’ve started to build the community back up and build the pub back up, and the main thing that we've done is we've given the pub an identity.”

The Beehive hosts its grand reopening from 11am on Saturday, with live music taking place from 4pm.