£500k investment delivers expansion for Cheshire pub Cock O’ Barton

The Cock O’ Barton in Malpas, Cheshire, has expanded and created new jobs with six-figure funding from Barclays.

The bar and restaurant used the £500k boost to develop 14 guest rooms and take on eight new members of staff.

Following the expansion, Cock O’ Barton is now targeting a turnover increase of £400k over the coming 12 months.

The firm’s owner, Matt Murphy, said: “We have built a solid reputation for the Cock O’ Barton as a quality pub/restaurant over recent years and wanted to expand the business.

“By building the rooms onto the historic coach house we have been able to combine the best of both worlds as I am able to manage both businesses from the same location and generate crossover trade.”

He added: “With a large function room and popular wedding venue destination we were often recommending local hotels and guest houses to our customers so it seemed logical to keep that trade on site if possible.”

Speaking further, Matt said that if the Cock O’ Barton’s growth strategy goes to plan, he will look to acquire a second site at some point in the next 18 months “if we find the right opportunity”.

Matt continued: “Running a business in this industry can be tough but the rewards far outweigh the downsides.”

Stewart Murray, a business banking manager with Barclays, said: “This expansion is an endorsement of the highly successful business Matt has developed and we had no hesitation in delivering a finance solution to support the expansion.”