Two hundred year old historic pub the Unicorn, has gone a step further in re-establishing itself as Loughborough’s community hub with a £100,000 investment including the re-installation of its once much-loved sports offer.
The Unicorn on Biggin Street reopened its doors on Tuesday 6th December after a two week closure for top of the range HD TVs and a large big screen to be installed; new furniture and décor; more cask and craft beers; and everything needed for the new ‘Kings Feast’ and cocktail menus.
“When I took over a year ago, young students to older regulars made it obvious to me that the Unicorn at the centre of the town had to restore its old community roots,” said General Manager Kerrianne Evans.
“It’s easy to say ‘community pub’, but it’s what you do to bring people together that really matters. Sponsoring the university handball team and making sure we looked after customers who have used the Unicorn as a home from home for decades, was the start,” added the mother of two and secretary of local Pubwatch.
“We’ve now righted the wrong of removing the sports a few years ago, installing elite technology. We’ve diversified, and made a pledge in supporting ‘local’.” Proving the ethos, the year old ladies darts team captained by Deputy Manager Lou, won the summer league this year, keeping Monday nights lively Queen Vic style.
Sky and BT sports means the pub can screen everything from NFL, rugby, and handball to boxing, with Anthony Joshua vs Eric Molina the first showcase event at 7.30pm on Saturday.
Cask Marque accredited, craft beers Blue Moon and Punk IPA now sit alongside regional and national ales across five handpulls with CAMRA members benefitting 10% discount. The ‘Bass Diamond’ built into the brickwork of the pub, usually only visible to brewery historians, ensures Bass always remains part of the core range.
Two for one bespoke cocktails, all day everyday, from a modest two for £7.95, boasts Strawberry Zing, Raspberry Woo Woo and French Martini for after work socialisers, shoppers and students alike.
Already popular for eating, the ‘Kings feast menu’ adds three hero dishes to the honest, value menu 2 4 £7.99 every day, and a further ten deals in the week. The big burger challenge with four 6oz beef burgers, cheese and bacon, a chicken schnitzel, pulled chicken and chorizo served with double chips, just one of the new dishes, is the perfect man vs food challenge, but also good to share!.
Quizzes, Karaoke, student nights, live music, poker and a Saturday license to open until 2:30am add to the diversity. No community pub is complete without a charity pledge and having already raised funds for the Foxes Trust this year, Christmas is a time for Rainbows Hospice and Street Pastors to benefit from the pub’s efforts.