New lease of life for The Ivy Leaf

The Ivy Leaf pub on Ivy Road in Macclesfield has relaunched after a £300,000 investment from owners, Punch Taverns, and local MP, David Rutley, joined the pub’s staff and regulars for the official reopening ceremony.

At the launch event, David was shown around the pub by representatives from Punch Taverns, including Regional Operations Director Tony Pilley, Punch Development Manager, Jonathan Thompson, and Publican Development and Training Manager, Alex Felix-Thomas, to see for himself the significant investment that has gone into improving the pub, which includes a complete refurbishment of the internal trading area, with two new spaces created for customers to enjoy, one of which can also be used for private hire functions. He also reviewed the company’s plans for the future, including its ambition to create further employment and training opportunities in the local area.

As well as this, David was also pleased to meet with the Ivy Leaf’s new publicans, Kate and Graham Wright. The Ivy Leaf is Kate and Graham’s second pub venture, as they also manage the Woodley Arms in Stockport. Kate and Graham explained how the support they had received from Punch Taverns had enabled them to take on the exciting opportunities presented by running a pub. They also stated their intention to place a sporting focus on the pub, helping it to keep its place as a local community pub.

Speaking after the event, David said, “Pubs play an important role in our local communities and it is great to see the Ivy Leaf continuing to fulfil this role following its major refurbishment by Punch Taverns. I am pleased that the company remains committed to investing in jobs and skills in our area. Kate and Graham clearly have real ambition to ensure that the pub continues to be a hub for the community, and I hope that it goes from strength to strength in the months ahead.”