The Royal Foresters Address: London Road, Ascot, SL5 8DR | Tel: 01344 596480 www.theroyalforesters.co.uk | Insta: /theroyalforesters | FB: /theroyalforesters
Since 4th July, Peter Borg-Neal, Founder and Chairman of 28 strong local pub group, Oakman Inns, which owns The Royal Foresters in Ascot, and his CEO, Dermot King, have provided comfortable yet Covid-safe environments for their guests. With other pub and restaurant operators across the UK, the group is bitterly disappointed that the Government has imposed ‘devasting’ Tier 2 restrictions across 99% of the country, despite the fact that PHE figures show pubs and restaurants are safer environments for socialising than homes. This week, Peter announced on BBC Breakfast that his company has invested over £250,000 in providing new levels of customer safety.
At the Royal Foresters, the team has been busy putting up the Christmas decorations to welcome guests back next Wednesday – under Government guidelines, which thankfully include the reshaping of the 10pm Curfew. Outside, they have also installed a heated Festive FlexiTent on their terrace which will allow guests who are not in the same household to wrap up warm and dine ‘Al Fresco’.
Traditional & Mediterranean-influenced Winter & Festive Menus
Every dish at The Royal Foresters is expertly prepared by their chefs using fresh, seasonal and sustainable ingredients in their open theatre-style kitchen, and every member of the family bubble, regardless of their dietary needs, will find something to please even the most discerning palate this Christmas.
Their fabulous Festive menus include traditional Christmas favourites together with some imaginative Mediterranean-influenced dishes such as a Porcini Mushroom & Truffle Soup, Cod wrapped in Pancetta and indulgent desserts such as Chocolate Panettone Bread & Butter Pudding.
For guests looking for a homely, post-lockdown meal out to chat over life and to relax without the worry of cooking and washing up, their chefs are on hand to prepare expertly-crafted Neapolitan pizzas in their wood-fired ovens, freshly grilled meats, sustainably-caught fish plus some new dishes - including Slow-Roast Shoulder of Lamb with braised red cabbage – and some tasty vegetarian options.
Dermot King, Oakman Inns’ CEO, said: “On December 2nd, all our pubs in Tier 2 will be fully open again serving one family bubble inside to a maximum of six people and a mix of six guests outside where we can. As everyone who has eaten in one of our 28 pubs since July 4th knows, we have always provided the safest possible environment in which to relax and dine. The pandemic has forced us all to think differently and to be more inventive. In that spirit, where our pubs have large outdoor spaces, we have brought the indoors outside in a safe, sociable and comfortable way, while delivering new kinds of immersive dining experiences.”
Since the pandemic broke out, Oakman’s Chairman, Peter Borg-Neal, and CEO, Dermot King, with other hospitality industry leaders, have been lobbying the Government tirelessly to help save the UK’s pub and restaurant sector. In May, Oakman Inns provided advice to the Cabinet Office on the industry’s best practice in Covid-secure health and safety measures. Peter’s efforts were recently rewarded with two prestigious industry awards voted for by his peers.