Hunt Down the New Cafe in the Fox & Hounds
The local pub scene is evolving. Fuller’s Fox & Hounds, a historic coaching inn in Lyndhurst, has even opened a new local produce shop and cafe a month ago.
This is a new development for Fuller’s, who are corporate partners of Hampshire Fare, that grew out of Fuller’s increasing use of local produce as well as a gap in the market in Lyndhurst where there are few opportunities to buy local produce on the High Street.
Fox & Hounds General Manager Sean O’Sullivan said: “The shop and café look fantastic. Everyone has been very supportive and it has been very well received with a regular following from local people using the shop to buy fresh local produce, such as strawberries, rhubarb and broad beans. The Fox & Hounds is still a pub, but the café has a great bistro vibe. The big draw for us at this time of year is the huge outside area – people can come in and grab a table outside and have afternoon tea.”
The shop and café replace what was a disused pool room. Sean adds: “It’s a far nicer use of the space; it’s far more appealing. It was a gamble as it’s a very big space. We could have used it for extra covers in the restaurant or extended the bar. But it’s a gamble that’s paid off. I’m very excited about it and the plan is to source even more local produce for both the shop and the café, and I’m looking forward to going out and about meeting local producers.”