Retired cricket hero Stuart Broad has opened his second pub as he expands his post-sports catering empire – even taking out a mop and getting behind the bar to help with the last-minute preparations.
The 37-year-old, widely described as England’s greatest ever fast bowler, retired from the sport last summer after taking 604 Test wickets – the fifth most ever.
By then he had already opened his first pub, The Tap and Run in Upper Broughton, Nottinghamshire, with fellow cricketer Harry Gurney, but it was hit by a devastating fire in June 2022, reopening a year later.
Broad and Gurney now have their eyes on a new watering hole, the Griffin Inn, just 15 miles away in Swithland, Leicestershire.
And if the pub’s new owners weren’t already the talk of the town, the pub has old cricket bats as part of its décor – including hanging on the wall and in the stitching of some of the soft sofas and on the walls.
Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney (left and right) outside their new pub, The Griffin Inn
Broad was snapped unpacking the bucket, mop (and a smock) as he made final preparations for the grand opening this week
He was even pictured behind the bar, with a towel on his shoulder, pulling a pint – while business partner Harry Gurney inspected the renovated pub
Broad is engaged to Saturday singer Mollie King, with whom he has daughter Annabella (all pictured at his final Ashes in 2023)
The pair also run the Tap and Run pub in Upper Broughton, Nottinghamshire, which was badly damaged by fire in 2022 (pictured)
Broad (seen here during the 2023 Ashes, shortly before he retired) is considered one of England’s greatest ever fast bowlers
The Griffin Inn’s cricket-inspired decor includes old bats on the wall (left). Cricket bats can also be found in the sports-inspired decoration on some of the pub’s soft sofas (right)
The stylish pub is a largely understated affair with Scandinavian-style furnishings, a fireplace and warm-toned wood panelling.
Broad – engaged to ex-Saturday singer Mollie King – was seen wearing an apron with a mop and bucket hours before it opened its doors.
He was also spotted behind the bar at the gastropub as Gurney admired the fixtures ahead of its opening on Thursday – just in time for the Easter weekend.
Gurney, also 37, joked: ‘Less than 24 hours to go and it’s all hands on deck. The same old Stuart who always grafts.’
Announcing the opening yesterday, fellow ex-cricketer Harry added: ‘We are now up and running in our second pub The Griffin.
‘We’re really excited about the potential of this wonderful pub and can’t wait for everyone to see it.’
Local Victoria Cunningham said: ‘I just picked my jaw up off the floor. I’m obsessed, looks amazing.’
Zoe Darkins added: ‘It’s absolutely beautiful. Congratulations to both of you and the entire team.”
Stephanie Webster added: ‘Wow, it looks beautiful.’
And Liam Jefferson said: ‘My grandparents were the landlords of the Griffin over 30 years ago, they would be so proud to see it still going so well!’
The couple’s other pub, the Tap and Run, was destroyed by fire in June 2022. It underwent a £1 million renovation.
The Tap and Run makes a lot of its famous owners. A frequently asked questions section on the website states: ‘Both Stuart and Harry are regular users of the pub.
‘Stuart loves nothing more than a Sunday roast and a glass of red wine in our pub section. Harry prefers a Friday evening meal in our dining room.”
Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad take a seat in the luxurious surroundings of the Griffin Inn, the latest addition to their growing pub empire
The Griffin Inn features some cozy Scandinavian-inspired features, such as a fireplace (left), but also has warm tones and wood paneling for a more traditional pub feel (right)
Broad pictured with his fiancée, Saturdays singer Mollie King, with whom he has a young daughter
The Tap & Run pub in Nottingham – owned by cricket star Stuart Broad – caught fire in the early hours of June 11, 2022
The Tap and Run was destroyed by fire in 2022, causing the entire roof to collapse and requiring a complete rebuild
But the pub has undergone a £1million refurbishment and is still in business. The couple also owned a previous watering hole, The Three Crowns, but closed it during the coronavirus pandemic
Before that, Gurney and Broad had opened The Three Crowns in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, in 2016.
However, they opted not to renew the lease amid the turbulence of the coronavirus pandemic and downed the hatches in 2021.
They manage the two pubs which they continue to operate through management firm The Cat and Wickets.
Broad has previously said he wants to run at least five pubs through the company with Gurney.
He told BusinessLive last summer: ‘The business plan is to achieve five in the next five years, which may sound a bit like running before we can walk. But we must ensure that the Tap and Run continues on an upward curve.
‘I’ll definitely take another step forward within the pub world when my cricket is finally over, but I think rather than throwing myself 100 per cent into one thing, I’d like to have different things in my life that keep me interested, keep me hooked. to progress as a person.’
Broad’s final game for England saw him take the wicket of Alex Carey to draw the Ashes series against Australia 2-2 at the Oval last summer.
He also hit a six with the last ball he faced with the bat – the first player ever to achieve the double feat.