Mark Poynton to open the White Horse pub in St Neots
Mark Poynton, chef-owner of the Michelin-starred Alimentum in Cambridge, is to launch his second venture the White Horse on Great North Road in Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambridgeshire next month.
The 100-cover, Grade II-listed pub, is expected to open on 6 July, just two days after Poynton receives the keys. Last year, the pub underwent a complete refurbishment, enabling the operation to get up and running quicker.
The White Horse’s freehold is owned by Ei Group (formerly Enterprise Inns) and Poynton has a lease agreement of five years. He intends for it to be family orientated, featuring bouncy castles in the garden all year round, weather permitting.
Poynton also plans to host music and beer festivals in the summer.
“We want to be that sort of place that people go to once or twice a week rather than once a month. We don’t want to be a destination diner, we want the White Horse to be somewhere people can visit all the time.” Poynton said.
The kitchen will be headed by Richard Rogerson who is currently head chef at Alimentum. Poynton is currently ‘in talks’ with someone who will potentially take over from Rogerson.
Rogerson’s girlfriend Francesca Johnson, who grew up in the pub trade, will be running front of house.
The style of food on offer will be simple, British, pub food like steak pies, steaks, and line-caught fish which Poynton receives daily.
