Retired cricket hero Stuart Broad has opened his second pub as he expands his post-sports hospitality empire, even pulling out a mop and standing behind the bar to help with last-minute preparations.
The 37-year-old, widely described as England’s best fast bowler, quit the sport last summer after taking 604 Test wickets, the fifth-most ever.
By then he had already opened his first pub, The Tap and Run in Upper Broughton, Nottinghamshire, with fellow cricketer Harry Gurney, but it suffered a devastating fire in June 2022 and reopened a year later.
Broad and Gurney have now set their sights on a new watering hole, the Griffin Inn, just 15 miles up the road in Swithland, Leicestershire.
And if the pub’s new owners weren’t already the talk of the town, the pub features old cricket bats as part of its decor, including as wall hangings and in the stitching of some of the plush seating and walls.
Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney (left and right) outside their new pub, The Griffin Inn
Broad was photographed breaking out the bucket, mop (and a robe) while making final preparations for the grand opening this week.
He was even photographed behind the bar, with a towel over his shoulder, drinking a pint, while business partner Harry Gurney inspected the converted pub.
Broad is engaged to Saturdays singer Mollie King, with whom he has daughter Annabella (all pictured during their final Ashes in 2023).
The couple also run the Tap and Run pub in Upper Broughton, Nottinghamshire, which was badly damaged in a fire in 2022 (pictured).
Broad (seen here during the 2023 Ashes shortly before retiring) is considered one of England’s best fast bowlers.
The cricket-inspired decor at the Griffin Inn includes old bats on the wall (left). Cricket bats also feature among the sports-inspired decor on some of the pub’s plush benches (right)
This elegant pub is a fairly low-key establishment with Scandinavian-style furniture, a fireplace and warm-toned wood-panelled walls.
Broad, engaged to former Saturdays singer Mollie King, was seen with an apron, a mop and a bucket hours before she opened her doors.
He was also seen behind the gastropub bar as Gurney admired the fixtures ahead of its opening on Thursday, just in time for the Easter weekend.
Gurney, also 37, joked: “It’s less than 24 hours away and we’re all hands on deck.” The same old Stuart, always doing grafts.
Announcing the opening yesterday, fellow former cricketer Harry added: “We are now up and running in our second pub, The Griffin.”
“We are very excited about the potential of this beautiful pub and can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
Local Victoria Cunningham said: “I just picked my jaw up off the floor.” I’m obsessed, it looks amazing.’
Zoe Darkins added: “It’s totally beautiful. Congratulations to them both and the whole team.”
Stephanie Webster added: “Wow, that looks beautiful.”
And Liam Jefferson said: ‘My grandparents owned the Griffin over 30 years ago, they would be so proud to see it still going strong!’
The couple’s other pub, the Tap and Run, was destroyed by fire in June 2022. It underwent a £1 million refurbishment.
The Tap and Run highlights its famous owners. In an FAQ section on his website, he says: ‘Both Stuart and Harry are regular users of the pub.
‘Stuart loves nothing more than a Sunday roast and a glass of red in our pub section. Harry tends to prefer Friday night food in our dining room.
Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad take their seats in the luxurious surroundings of the Griffin Inn, the latest addition to their growing pub empire.
The Griffin Inn features some cozy Scandinavian-inspired features, such as a fireplace (left), but also has warm tones and wood paneling for a more traditional pub feel (right).
Broad pictured with his fiancee, Saturdays singer Mollie King, with whom he has a young daughter.
The Tap & Run pub in Nottingham, owned by cricket star Stuart Broad, caught fire in the early hours of June 11, 2022.
The Tap and Run was destroyed by the 2022 fire, which caused the entire roof to collapse and required a complete reconstruction.
But the pub enjoyed a £1 million rebuild and continues to operate today. The couple also had a previous watering hole, The Three Crowns, but closed it during the coronavirus pandemic.
Before that, Gurney and Broad had opened The Three Crowns in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, in 2016.
However, they chose not to renew the lease amid the turbulence of the coronavirus pandemic and lowered the shutters in 2021.
They manage the two pubs which continue to operate through the management company The Cat and Wickets.
Broad has previously said he wants to run at least five pubs through the company alongside Gurney.
He said Live business last summer: ‘The business plan is to try to get five in the next five years, which may sound a bit like running before you can walk. But we need to make sure Tap and Run continues on an uphill curve.
“I will definitely take a step further into the pub business when I finally finish my cricket, but I think rather than devoting myself 100 per cent to one thing, I would like to have different things in my life that keep me interested, that keep me advancing as a person.’
Broad’s last match for England saw him take the wicket of Alex Carey to draw the Ashes series with Australia 2-2 at the Oval last summer.
He also hit a six with the last ball he faced with the bat – the first player to achieve that double feat.