Chef Gary Usher drops big hint over new dog friendly pub opening date

Chef Gary Usher has dropped a big hint as to when a new-look dog friendly country pub could once again be opening its doors to the public.

The Elite Bistros founder, which owns Hispi in East Didsbury, became the owner of the White Horse pub in Churton back in October this year, reportedly saving the venue from the hands of property developers that had planned to build flats on the site, reports CheshireLive.

Along with support from the local community, the renowned chef has spent the past few months transforming the pub, which closed in 2020, to create an all new dog-friendly gastro pub complete with rooms for overnight stays.

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In a Twitter post to his followers this week, Gary set himself the challenge of opening the pub in six weeks, which would be early February 2023. He already owns numerous restaurants in the north west, including Hispi in East Didsbury, and Kala on King Street in Manchester.

He posted: "MORNING! Hope you’ve all had a lovely Christmas & eaten to much cheese & things! Anyway… Back to it @TheWhiteHorseCh so we can get this bloody pub open! Open in six weeks what you saying?"

The former White Horse pub in Churton, Chester (Gary Usher)

Head chef Josh Robins, formerly sous chef at Sticky Walnut in Hoole, will be taking the reins in the gastro pub's kitchen. He has also worked at The Grosvenor Hotel and has been devising a mouth-watering menu ready for when the pub opens its doors.

This included the intriguingly entitled 'frickles' which are deep-fried pickles, along with a mouth watering range of dishes served on toast, such as braised pig's trotters and piccalilli, stout rarebit with Appleby's Smoked Cheshire cheese and mackerel pate and pickled radishes.

Gary has previously revealed that returning to the pub trade was a bit of a blast from the past for him, since he began his career at the age of 16 with a three year apprenticeship in a pub, spending half of his time in the kitchen and half behind the bar. He already owns six Elite Bistro restaurants across the region, including Hispi in East Didsbury.

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