The Holme Hall Inn

A Community Hub!

Words: Simon Paterson

Images: Rachel Williamson

Rachel and Taylor are the entrepreneurial mother and daughter team behind the newly refurbished Holme Hall Inn.

Rachel, local teacher and mother of three, knows the power of community, the value of family and an opportunity when she sees one and Taylor, a Gen-Z with her finger on the pulse of cool and a progressive mindset, make the perfect team to transform the Holme Hall Inn into a thriving community hub for people from all walks of life!

Rachel and Taylor embarked on this adventure with their partners Russ and Isaac. Russ grew up in Holmehall and knows many of the locals; his charm and friendly banter keeps everyone entertained.

I caught up with Rachel and Taylor to discuss what the future holds for The Holme Hall and what it’s like to work with your mum!

When the Holme Hall Inn was up for grabs, what made you want to take it on?

"I just wanted Taylor to move out and this was an opportunity... I’m joking Taylor! Taylor and I have worked in hospitality for a while for Jason at Spire Inns. Taylor felt she wasn’t fulfilling her potential in the supermarket she worked at, and I thought this was a great chance for her to step out of her comfort zone and be professionally challenged. Being a teacher, I know all about that," smiles Rachel.

"For me, it's great to be able to live independently (Taylor lives upstairs with her partner, Isaac) as a young person the cost of running your own home at the minute is almost impossible. Living and working at the Holme Hall has enabled me to move out and broaden my skillset! Plus, we used to live around here so it’s great to come back."

Immediately, it’s clear to see how strong the mother and daughter bond is between Rachel and Taylor, but I was keen to find out what’s it’s like working with your mum.

"Working together has been difficult at times. Taylor is great with the customers, chatty, outgoing and approachable. Cleaning the toilets on the other hand, not a big fan, but she does it," grins Rachel.

"Nobody likes cleaning toilets Mother. I love talking with locals. We have a few who come in on their own and they all have a story tell. I am just happy to listen," says Taylor.

Since taking on the Holme Hall Inn the team has already established a strong community, based on family values and fun events for all. We have been to several events at the pub including the Christmas Market, Santa's Grotto and we saw a great live band on a Saturday night.

"Christmas was an opportunity for us to show the community what we were capable of and establish ourselves as not only a family pub, but a community hub as well," says Rachel with pride.

"We all loved Octoberfest, Mum and I had previously worked at a German bar, so we know the history and tradition of the festival. We got some great live acts on including an Oom-pah Band and it was so much fun," grins Taylor.

"Brunch and Bingo launches soon on the last Friday of the month, I’m looking forward to that one," says Rachel.

Another new feature of the pub is food which is receiving some great reviews. I can personally recommend the Sunday dinners but be sure to book early because they have been selling out fast!

The future is bright at The Holme Hall Inn with plans in place to hold a small community festival this summer to raise money for local mental health charities. I wish Rachel, Taylor and the whole team the best of luck and I look forward to sporting my lederhosen later this year! Mine's a pint of mild.

Opening hours:

Monday 2:30pm to 11pm

Tuesday to Sunday 12pm to 11pm

The Holme Hall Inn

Linacre Road

Chesterfield

T: 01246 791100

The Holme Hall Inn