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QUESTION & ANSWER A
MONTAGU
ARMS
to those who love it...‘The Monty’
At the very heart of Barnwell lies The Montagu Arms, affectionately known by its staff and regulars as ‘The Monty’. Ian Simmons ran the pub from 1996 to 2006, then enjoyed an 11- year challenge of transforming two other pubs, before returning to The Monty in 2017. Since then the pub has been undertaking an ongoing rolling refurbishment. Here, Ian tells Oundle Life about his charming traditional pub and his passion for the food that he serves.
Tell us more... What is now The Monty was initially constructed as four small cottages for the craftsman who would build the new Barnwell Manor. One of these cottages would become Barnwell’s first inn in the early 1800s, being extended into a second cottage in the early 1900s. By the mid-1900s all four cottages would now be absorbed to become the pub.
When did you first take over The Montagu Arms? Lisa and I first moved into The Monty on April 11th 1996 at the tender ages of 24 and 25 respectively. Recently we have celebrated our 25th anniversary, albeit we had an 11 year holiday 2006-2017.
What made you choose the pub? Having worked at Barnwell Mill (as was) for 7 years, and often ending a night with a chill pint at The Monty, I’d always fancied a crack at it.
Your favourite feature of the pub? My favourite feature was only uncovered during the first COVID-19 lockdown. What we had always had as a cleaning cupboard, in our glass wash area, is now restored into a spirit store, caged to the bar.
What is the best thing about your job?
Never being lonely. If it’s not the steady flow
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