Tech entrepreneurs in Doncaster tap into the 'original social network'
Two men walk into a pub – and decide to run it!
Popular Mexborough micropub Borders faced an uncertain future when the previous owner decided to call time.
But entrepreneurs Craig Boddy and Louis Marcus have fulfilled a lifelong ambition of running their own bar, after stepping in to save the venue, which is based on Bank Street.
Since securing the keys, Craig and Louis have revamped the drinks menu, adding a new range of beers, lagers and ciders to the bar, and they have also introduced a new cocktail menu.
The micropub will soon receive a new name, Oscar’s, named in honour of their Lakeland terrier, and the duo have also introduced a regular weekly entertainment programme, which includes karaoke nights, a popular Thursday night quiz and – to ensure that football fans don’t miss any of the action during this year’s World Cup – installed new TV screens.
In 2018, Craig founded the award-winning IT consultancy Balliante and, since Louis joined the business, the company has enjoyed a significant period of growth, today employing ten members of staff and responsible for supporting businesses across the UK, Europe and the US from its Rotherham-based headquarters.
Last year, the company was crowned as Small Business of the Year at Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber’s annual business awards, and both Louis and Craig have been recognised as two of Yorkshire’s most promising entrepreneurs aged under 42 by influential regional publication Yorkshire Business Insider.
Louis and Craig have entirely self-funded the re-opening of Borders, spending their days working in their IT business, whilst devoting their evenings and weekends to making their dream pub a success.
Craig said: “Owning a pub is something we've both dreamed of for many years.
“It's a completely new industry for us – there's been plenty to learn and it’s very different to our work in the IT sector, but at a time when many businesses in the hospitality sector are struggling, we felt if we didn’t give it a go, we’d always wonder what might have been.
“We spent years building digital networks, but pubs have always been the original social network.
“They bring people together, spark conversations and are very often the beating heart of the local community.”