New owners have taken over at the Virgins & Castle some four years after they first looked at running the pub.

Tom and Sammy Durnion took over at Kenilworth's oldest pub in January, having first shown interest in the venue just before the pandemic.

The husband and wife team - who also run the Newdigate Arms in Bedworth - had looked at the V&C back in early 2020, but said the decision not to take it may have been a blessing in disguise.

"I had always loved this pub, and I did look at it four years ago when it was last available," Coventry-based Tom told Nub News 

"But it may have been the best decision I ever made. 

"In our Bedworth pub we have a huge garden which we used during Covid, and of course the last guy opened here and then had to close for the pandemic a week later. 

"So for us, in hindsight, it worked out."

Everards Brewery, which owns the pub, announced last year it was on the lookout for new tenants after previous manager Johnathan Carter-Morris announced he would be moving on.

Tom said he leapt at the opportunity to take over at the 460-year-old inn, and said despite what other people say, the winter is a good time to take on a new pub.

"Everyone always says January is the worst time to take a pub, but for us it's the best time to get it how we want it before it gets busy," he explained. 

"And we have already had to do a lot to get this place in shape.

"Although here, it is busy regardless of who owns it! It is an institution.

"The amount of people that stand out the front of this pub and take photos is unreal."

In the first few weeks the new team has already started to put its own stamp on the V&C, redoing the kitchens, reopening the top bar and changing some of the beers on offer.

A new manager has also been brought in, and the food offering stripped back slightly.

That said, Tom has introduced some midweek offers including:

• Two courses for £11 / three course £14 Monday to Friday 12 noon to 4pm
• Burger and a pint on a Monday £14 all day
• Pie and a pint on a Wednesday £14 all day
• Two steaks and a bottle of wine for £35 all day Thursday

"We are trying to strip everything back. We want to make this a pub first that can stand on its own feet," father-of-one Tom added.

"This has always historically been a big drinking pub that also does food. 

"That is where I want to take it back to. 

"A pub like this, money cannot buy, and it will never be built again. 

"It is completely priceless and somewhere like this you need to serve good quality beer and a nice meal if people want it. 

"We're a pub that serves food, and that's how we want it to be. 

"And I don't think this pub has ever exploited its midweek potential, so we want to have a real go at that."

And after just 10 weeks since taking over, and with the challenges of running two pubs at the same time, Tom said it has been a great start to life at the Virgins & Castle.

"In terms of our first few weeks, it has been very successful and really well received," he said. 

"This wasn't necessarily a pure business decision. 

"This is also about working in a pub I have always liked, in an area I have always liked.

"We have got lots to offer. 

"If you look at the Newdigate Arms in Bedworth, you will see what we have done there, and how we have worked with local residents and turned that pub around. 

"We want to have the same success at the Virgins & Castle."

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