Company news:

Cheshire Cat Pubs and Bars to open fifth pub in late May: Cheshire Cat Pubs and Bars, headed by Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin, expects to open its fifth pub, The Church Inn in Mobberley, in late May – it acquired the freehold of the pub in January. The company stated: “We hope to add some bedrooms to the pub and we would also expect to take on functions and private dinner parties. The menu will be focused on lunch and supper and the wine list will be wider reaching. The aim is to offer a different experience to our wonderful Bulls Head and ensure Mobberley has two fantastic pubs famous for their people, their food and drink plus the differing occasions they offer.” Bird was formerly part of Michael Cannon’s management team that acquired companies such as Morrells of Oxford and Eldridge Pope. He was more recently managing director of Brunning and Price and the Freehouse Pub Company within the Restaurant Group. McLaughlin was formerly managing director of La Tasca and grew the Spanish restaurant chain from three to over 70 restaurants nationwide.