7 minute read
WILLS INNS
Where there’s a Wills there’s a way
Kate met Director James Torbell and General Manager Anjali Prashad from Wills Inns to find out why serving the people of Uppingham is written in their DNA
WHEN WE THINK of Uppingham, we envisage the market place, the hub of the town. And what flanks the market place on three sides? The Falcon Hotel, Don Paddy’s and The Vaults, of course. Three different venues owned by one family, each with their unique ambience, but united in one mission, to serve the people of the town well. This ethos filters through every aspect of the family-owned business. The late Robert Wills, who grew up in the town and also ran the world class Arnold Wills leather factory, was passionate about looking after the local community, be that members of his staff, tradesmen, regular customers or the wide variety of visitors coming through the doors every day. Robert’s daughter Philippa has now taken up that mantle, as Managing Director of the Arnold Wills Group.
Robert and his wife Carol took over Don Paddy’s in 2004, The Falcon in February 2011 and the Vaults in September 2011. Over the last 20 years, ‘a lot of businesses have come and gone in the town,’ James says, ‘which had some great people behind them who have done great things. We are still here, being successful and reliable.’
James has been part of the business for 20 years in one form or another, and Anjali arrived in 2012. Another face front of house is operations manager, Lily Weaver, and together, all three strive to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere whichever door you step through.
‘I don’t think many people can say they run three such different businesses so close to each other in a beautiful market town,’ Anjali says. ‘We have longevity and loyalty, the location and the know-how about how the town reacts.’
But they try not to rest on their laurels and are keen to move forward, learning as they go.
Creating a relaxed brasserie environment
‘When we took on Don Paddy’s it was a tapas bar,’ James told me. ‘It was named Don Paddy Sanchez as a nod to the tapas heritage - Cristina Sánchez de Pablos was the first female bullfighter – and also to capture its Irish bar ambiance. But then we decided we weren’t the people to do tapas well so we changed direction and started to serve great restaurant food in a brasserie environment. We always aim to offer what the town wants rather than a vision of what the business presumes the town wants.’
Don Paddy’s is unexpected when you walk in; it’s not set formally for dining. It’s got coffee and cakes at the front counter and people pick up a coffee before work or after dropping off children at school, then lunch is served, followed by afternoon tea. Early doors start from 4pm then dinner at 6pm and the bar is busy until 11pm. The fun never stops.
‘We like to exceed expectations at Don Paddy’s. It looks relaxed but we serve great food. Our chef Ian Russell has been with us for over 15 years. He’s from the town and he cooks for the town. He learnt all his skills in numerous top restaurants in Lincoln and was trained in Uppingham by the brilliant James Hackney, another local chef.’
Ali Duncombe, who has worked for the family-run group for over 15 years became the head chef of The Falcon in 2018 after working with Ian at both Don Paddy’s and The Falcon. ‘We are proud to have these two very important members of the family still working with us,’ says James, ‘all these years on and hopefully for many to come!’
‘We do have areas of the business that need working on,’ says James. ‘Twenty years ago we were the first people in Uppingham with an espresso machine. Other businesses now specialise in great coffee but we’re getting training, changing our beans and changing our machines. We’re looking at what we’re good at and what we need to improve on. There’s plenty of refurbishment planned for next year.’
Every Wednesday is live music night at Don Paddy’s. And in the summer the musicians play outside which has a great vibe. ‘Summer is our best season,’ says James, ‘where we really come into our own. Get ready, it’s coming back!’
Social Sundays
During Covid, they introduced Social Sundays in the market place which had an area blocked off to vehicles. More chairs and tables were set outside and everyone could go out to eat and drink and feel safe. ‘It wasn’t easy,’ says Anjali. ‘Every week was a battle, but we did it to help people go out but still feel comfortable.’
It was so popular, Social Sundays are set to continue, running from June 4 to the end of August, most weeks with live music. Similarly, the market place will be blocked off for The Stilton Cheese Run on April 23, Feast Day on June 18 and the Three Counties Cycle Sportive which is on July 2.
‘Many visitors are people looking to move to Uppingham so they spend the weekend in town and Social Sundays show there’s lots of stuff going on, with music on the go. The market on the Friday is one of our best days of trading. And many people stay here for a wedding or while visiting the school and go into town and spend in the independent shops and restaurants. They’re not just spending with us, they’re enjoying what the town has to offer.
‘It’s good to have new businesses in town,’ James continues. ‘Nothing stays empty for long on the High Street. Lots of people discover Uppingham while visiting Stamford and Oakham. School parents come with their dogs as we have five dog friendly rooms.’
They may go for a pint at the Vaults which is a traditional English pub just serving drinks. They serve traditional ales from Oakham Grainstore and Timothy Taylor, one of the best national beers. It’s all about decent pints at decent prices. The TV is very popular there for people to gather to watch all sorts of sports fixtures. Then customers wander back to eat at the Falcon or at Don Paddy’s.
Part of the family
‘There’s no demographic that would feel unwelcome in any of our bars or restaurants,’ Anjali told me. ‘We’re very keen to look after people, you’re safe and we’re not charging crazy prices. Our staff are encouraged to get to know the customers and we want our customers to find out about the staff too, to know their names. Working in a family run business, you become part of the family,’ says Anjali. ‘And that’s how we want our customers to feel too; you shouldn’t worry about being on your own, it should be like coming home.’
‘We’re very community minded and have just won an award from Geoff Thompson, the Rutland High Sheriff, for our contribution to the community,’ says James. ‘Robert claimed there’s no point in running a business if you can’t support your staff and support the town. You have a responsibility to give your staff a decent living, to look after your environment, pay your bills and hopefully make some money along the way.’
When Robert and Carol bought the Falcon in 2011 they had every single room refurbished which took until 2017. It is a beautiful building with a traditional, genteel atmosphere and recently won the Muddy Stilleto’s award for best boutique hotel as well as various awards over the years for its garden. There’s the Oak room, Club room, Tap bar and front restaurant, all of which can be hired for functions. But as the business grew and changed over time, the building had to change to accommodate it. There were more and more weddings being held at the Falcon so they built the Garden Terrace room for extra space. And the garden behind it is a hidden gem, absolutely wonderful in the summer.
‘We try and make improvements all the time,’ says Anjali. ‘We pick up ideas from elsewhere and learn from others. We don’t do deals, we offer value every day. We want people to say: ‘I really enjoyed the last time I went to Don Paddy’s, let’s go again. Or, I’ve not been there for a while, let’s give it a go.’
