Picture caption:  Phil Kiernan (owner of the Farmers Boy Inn) and Mark Corfield (relationship manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial)

A Ross-on-Wye based pub has expanded its service offering and secured a new supplier contract after securing a £350,000 business loan from Lloyds TSB Commercial.

A country pub located in Ross-on-Wye has expanded its bed and breakfast offering and secured a significant new business contract after receiving a loan of £350,000 from Lloyds TSB Commercial.

Set on the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire border, the Farmers Boy Inn is an award-winning 17th century family-run pub which is famous for its selection of home-cooked pies and home-cooked British food. 

The business, which has been owned by husband and wife team Phil and Manda Kiernan since September 2000, has an annual turnover of £500,000 and employs 12 people. It also has a pie and deli shop that is affiliated to the pub, which sells high quality and locally sourced produce, as well a nationwide pie delivery service 'MadaboutPies.co.uk'.

After approaching Lloyds TSB Commercial to secure lending support, £350,000 was invested to further expand the businesses increasingly diverse operations, together with the expansion of on-site bed & breakfast accommodation facilities situated in the annexe of the Farmers Boy Inn from four to eight rooms.

The business' 'MadaboutPies.co.uk' operation has also recently secured a significant new catering contract with Worcester Warriors Rugby Club to supply more than 30,000 pies. After delivering a presentation at a recent Lloyds TSB Commercial event held at the Premiership rugby club, Phil Kiernan successfully pursued the catering contract after Mark Corfield, relationship manager at Lloyds TSB Commercial, suggested the business merits of supplying leading local sporting venues with the famous pies. 

Phil Kiernan, owner of the Farmers Boy Inn, commented: 

"Since taking over the Farmers Boy Inn in 2000, we have worked hard to enhance the pub's public profile, as well as successfully expanding the business model to incorporate a wider range of services including the pie and deli shop, 'Mad about Pies' and the b&b accommodation. 

"Lloyds TSB Commercial has been incredibly supportive of our efforts to progress and we have certainly appreciated their backing over the past few years. In particular, the initial introduction and strategic input that has led to our recent contract win with Worcester Warriors Rugby Club demonstrates the wider help and support that the bank provides on a local level.

"It is incredibly pleasing to have received lending support from Lloyds TSB Commercial, in order to help drive our growth plans. The proficient service and effective ideas that we continue to receive from Mark has been dedicated and efficient - he fully understands what we are looking to achieve and have provided the financial support needed to drive our plans." 

Mark Corfield, relationship manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: 

"The Farmers Boy Inn is a well-established and highly respected business. The pub has a loyal and yet diverse customer base that spans regular locals as well as a growing number of visitors from outside of the area. 

"Our investment and on-going support of this business is a result of the clear strategic objectives that Phil and his team have outlined in order to maximise future growth in the company. Their recent success in securing a significant new supply contract with Worcester Warriors Rugby Club embodies the passion, energy and drive for future growth that is testament to the business' success.

"At Lloyds TSB Commercial, we work hard to establish solid working relationships with all of our customers. We want to provide businesses such as this with the knowledge, support and guidance to encourage growth, whatever the economic climate."