The Royal Oak pub on Richmond Road in Twickenham has been given a new lease of life after local pub landlords Christian Arden and Ben Abrahams took over the helm of this “popular after-work local” at the end of last month.
The pair have already turned the pub around with a £100,000 refurbishment which has transformed the main bar area and exterior, creating a more “premium, welcoming ambience” for customers.
Art and photos hang on the walls of the downstairs bar, giving the pub a “cosy and unique” vibe.
The colourful seats, cushions, and bright lighting mix with the new blue bar and wooden tables.
The exterior of the pub has been transformed in appearance with an oak green repaint and a new signage, restoring the pub’s image to its former glory.
“Experienced bar operators” Christian and Ben have ambitions to take the Royal Oak on a sustainable food journey, aiming to make it a “destination pub” for those who love well prepared and locally sourced ingredients – especially a classic Sunday roast.
In early 2025, the pub owners claim there will be more investment to upgrade the Royal Oak’s kitchen and private dining areas.
This will allow the pair to create a better selection of sustainable food and wine.
Executive chef Riccardo Rizzo, who also oversees the kitchens at their other pubs in southwest London—The Crossing in Barnes, White Horse in Richmond, and New Inn in Ham Common—will lead this effort.
Riccardo has already launched the Royal Oak’s autumn and winter 2024 menu, which includes a variety of plant-based, fish, and meat starters, mains, sides, and desserts.
There are also stone-baked pizzas inspired by the Italian chef, made with top-quality British ingredients.
Everything is freshly prepared and simply cooked in the Twickenham pub’s kitchen.
Christian Arden said: “We want The Royal Oak to become a favourite drinking and dining pub for the local community as well as for visitors to Twickenham stadium who are looking for a fabulous meal and great drinks after a match.
“At our other local pubs, we already have a reputation for fantastic, freshly cooked food with sustainability at its heart – it’s what we do best and it’s something we’re absolutely passionate about, so we want to bring that to the Royal Oak.
“We’ll be using local suppliers, fresh ingredients and minimising single use plastic and waste.
“We believe pubs have an important role to play in encouraging more sustainable behaviour and we’re extremely keen to set an example that others can follow.”
In addition to serving food and drinks, Christian and Ben plan to host several events in the coming weeks and months.
This includes pop-up themed dining experiences centred around key rugby matches, such as the autumn internationals.
Ben Abrahams said: “We’re a community pub at heart and being part of local life is hugely important to us.
“We want our customers to feel like they’re a part of who we are as a business.
“Our job is to meet their expectations the best way we know how and hopefully exceed them.”
