Couple live their dream running a micropub in historic Melton building
A devastating break-in has failed to dampen the passion and enthusiasm Jim Godwin and Lisa Bunting have for their new Melton Mowbray micropub.
The couple opened The Hop Stop in a grade two listed building in Burton Street in March and they have steadily built up a good loyal group of customers.
They suffered a major set-back last month when burglars smashed their way in through the front door and helped themselves to bottles of spirits, cans from the fridge, a Dyson fan and £40 in petty cash.
It was a big blow for any small business but the response of customers, local people and other town businesses has heartened them.
"I felt sick when we realised there had been a break-in,” said Lisa.
“It hits hard because we’re a family-run business and it feels personal.
"But the response from people has been overwhelming.”
Jim added: “We had flowers and cards after the burglary and people from other local businesses have come in for a drink and put money in the till.”
The couple looked around for the right location for their micropub and fell in love with the Burton Street building, which has housed a number of different businesses over the years and was latterly The Beauty Lab.
They are not tied to a brewery which means they can offer a variety of beers which change with every empty barrel.
Neither had even so much as pulled a pint for a customer until opening night.
“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do but it was never the right time,” explained Lisa, who also works as pastoral and inclusion manager at Brownlow Primary School in Melton.
"We absolutely love it. It’s been a huge learning curve and we are still learning.”
They don’t play music and there is a genuine community feel to the place, we’ve strangers often striking up conversations.
Jim says they are indebted to the support and advice of members of Melton CAMRA, Melton BID and also from fellow micropub, The Pharmacie Arms at Syston.
Opening hours are 4pm to 10pm Tuesday to Thursday; 1pm to 10pm on Fridays; noon to 10pm on Saturdays; and 1pm to 8pm on Sundays.
“We saw a gap in the market and we think we offer something very different to the town,” added Jim.