A popular pub in Endon is looking for a new landlord after the current tenants announced they're due to retire.

66-year-old Malcolm Allen said he and his wife Janette were looking forward to more holidays and spending more time with their grandchild when they step away from the pumps.

Before arriving at The Black Horse, Malcolm ran two golf clubs – Greenway Hall and Westwood.

He left Westwood in 2009, and began searching for a pub or restaurant.

After just over half a year of looking, he came across The Black Horse and signed the lease.

He said: "I took over the lease, which had six years remaining, and just loved it – great customers, live music every Saturday night, it was brilliant.

"But then again I was a lot younger then and it's always a lot more fun when you're younger.

"I used to be in the kitchen a lot more, but now only if I have to.

"We've got a great head chef, who's been here, on and off, for seventeen years – I believe she started here when she was fourteen.

Malcolm Allen (Richard Price).

"I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it – meeting customers, chatting to them, serving them, cooking for them – but as you get older you want to do less.

"We've got a beautiful grandchild who lives in Sheffield, and we try to get up there as much as we can."

He said trade had been slow to recover coming out of the pandemic, but that weekends were now incredibly busy.

Last June the venue shut briefly for a refurbishment, meaning it now boasts new floors, new seating as well as new tables and chairs.

"It looks great now, I must admit," said Malcom.

He added that he'd miss the regulars, and said: "You get a bond with customers, they know us and they always come in.

"They tell me not to change the menu and I tell them I've got no choice, it's not up to me!"

Mixed grill at The Black Horse (The Black Horse).

Malcom said some of his customers have been coming into the venue for over 50 years.

Malcolm also had a few words of wisdom for whoever takes over.

"Work hard. Don't kill yourself. Do as many hours as you can do without putting too much strain on yourself.

"Living upstairs the first couple of years was very strenuous, you're never off duty. You save money by living upstairs – but it will get to you."

He advised whoever takes over to keep head chef Lauren, describing her as his right hand.

The venue is currently being marketing by Admiral Taverns, with an annual rent of £32,000 and an initial £15,000 required to cover stock, working capital and a security deposit.

An additional £325 (plus VAT) is required to pay for training.

The pub has 60 covers indoors, and a further 20 covers outside. Admiral Taverns says it is planning some external redecoration.

Their marketing literate states: "The Black Horse is destination food site. This is a great pub with a solid trading background and a fantastic reputation and very rare opportunity that has come to the market.

"This could be a fantastic addition for an established operator looking to add another site to their estate or an experienced food operator looking to get into the trade for themselves.

"We are looking for a local, experienced operator. Someone with good knowledge of the area and who has experience of running food operations."

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