Stuart Alder
Manager of The Radcliffe Arms
Stuart was born and grew up in Hitchin, and went to St Andrew’s JMI and Hitchin Boys’ School. After a brief spell at Sheffield University, he returned to Hitchin and ran Bar Meze on Bucklersbury. He was made redundant from there after six years of successful trade, and then found work at The Wellington gastropub in Old Welwyn village, running the bar operation and then Assistant Manager. He always was keen to return to Hitchin, and had the opportunity in February 2008 when the Radcliffe Arms came up for sale from Punch Taverns. He saw the tremendous potential in the site, having known the town for thirty years, and wrote to the new owner of the pub, Mr Sam Isaly, expressing his interest in running it for him. After a few months of ideas being thrown back and forth, it was decided that a full refurbishment and major extension of the premises would take place, to enable food to be the main aspect of the business. Work started in the Summer of 2008 on the roof and first floor of the building, with the ground floor having to wait for planning approval until January 2009. The Radcliffe re-opened on 19th June 2009 and hasn’t looked back.
