'The only way is up' say new managers at Arnold's Cross Keys pub serving pizzas

A popular Arnold pub is under new management. And just days after re-opening, the new operators are about to reinstate a food service. Marcus Kissane and Paul Brocklehurst have taken over the running of the Cross Keys in Front Street.

The duo, who have run pubs together for ten years, have been taken on by Stout and Stone Inns which recently acquired the Stonegate pub. The same company has also taken over the lease of Fellows, Morton and Clayton in Nottingham.

The Cross Keys closed for three days before the new managers began trading last Friday. Marcus will be handling the kitchen, while Paul will be in charge of the bar.

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As soon as the kitchen is up and running (any day now) breakfast will be served from 9am when the pub opens its doors, Monday to Saturday, and from 10am on Sunday. The menu includes an all-day breakfast for £8.29, breakfast sandwiches from £3.99 plus pancakes with maple syrup, beans or eggs on toast and toast with jam, marmalade or chocolate spread.

Marcus, 32, said: "Historically this pub used to trade quite well on food. The last operator stopped it, I don't know why, so this week we are starting two simple menus. Come 9 o'clock in the morning when we open, there could be ten to 30 people in just for coffees so we will try and capitalise on that."

The second menu offers seven different pizzas, from a classic cheese and tomato to a meat feast, and sides including chips, onion rings. chicken tenders and coleslaw. Desserts of sweet waffles, brownies and cheesecake are also sold.

As for drinks, the range and prices - averaging £3.20 a pint - will remain pretty much the same. Doom Bar will continue as the one and only real ale, with a wide range of lagers including Coors, Stella Artois, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Amstel, Foster's and Carling, and Strongbow cider

"We are just rolling with how it was because it worked. The last operator tried real ales and it didn't work. Doom Bar sells so we have kept it on," said Marcus, who previously ran the Queen's Head in Worksop for six years until the lease came to an end.

The Cross Keys has live music at 1pm on Fridays and is looking at adding more live entertainment on a Saturday night once a month. The Friday and Saturday night disco and karaoke will continue. Football is also very much on the agenda. The pub is decked out with England flags and will be showing every Euros game.

With a pool table, darts and fruit machines, Marcus said: "It's a popular pub, quite community-focused. It's a traditional boozer and we're going to throw a bit of food in as well.

"This pub is a relatively busy pub anyway and we've got a very good customer base. I think the only way is up with this. There is a lot of opportunity, we just need to unlock it."

One of the signs that won Marcus over before signing on the dotted lines was the friendliness of locals during a recce. "When I contacted the company advertising the pub I didn't know Arnold very well at all but we came in as customers at first and everybody was so friendly.

"We were sat and everyone who walked past said hello, are you alright? It's just a nice place. That's what you want, a friendly bunch. And it's in a prime location."