Trailblazing a pub and curry concept in the north west of England, Xavier and Ewelina Bastian MBII opened up The Gatehouse, also known as Ale & Aloo, in September 2023. This unique pub concept, just 20 minutes from Manchester city centre, embraces delicious Indian cuisine alongside a fantastic drinks range. Teodora Pancheva MBII reports
Xavier and Ewelina Bastian MBII are no strangers to the hospitality industry. Xavier worked for more than 20 years at the international Indian restaurant chain Usha, as Operations Director, and Ewelina was a Food and Beverage Director for a Manchester hotel. Together, they have well over 50 years of hospitality experience. It was in December 2022, while taking a much-needed holiday and discussing what they wanted to do with their careers, that the idea of owning a business took root.
"I wanted to do something on my own,” says Xavier. “There were quite a few Indian gastropubs in the South, but there was nothing in the North, so I mentioned it to Ewelina, she said, yeah let’s do it ourselves.”
Having worked in the fine dining industry for many years, Xavier and Ewelina were ready to take on something more casual – a place where they could make their mark. “Anyone can open an Indian restaurant…. You can get the chefs, the white tablecloths and call it an Indian restaurant, but to do it in a pub– something that is such a big part of British heritage – that’s what we thought would be a really great idea.” That holiday dream started the couple on a long journey of research, planning and location scouting.
“We were looking for something close to Manchester city centre, but far enough away for it to be considered a local pub, so we could create a community environment,” says Ewelina. And, in the summer of 2023, they came upon The Gatehouse, a wet-led boozer in Tyldesley, a stone’s throw from the city centre. Once the keys were exchanged, they got to work: tearing up carpets, applying a fresh coat of paint, renovating the kitchen and finally they were able to re-open The Gatehouse as The Gatehouse: Ale & Aloo.
They envisioned a quiet and humble start as new pub landlords – without anticipating the power of social media and PR. Just 24-hours before re-opening, Ewelina created The Gatehouse’s first Instagram page. By the following morning they had 244 followers, and interest from Manchester’s Finest, a media company focused on finding the best independent spots within Greater Manchester. “So, we invited Manchester’s Finestto do a piece on the pub. By two o’clock that day, we had people queueing up and by four o’clock, we had 30/40 people waiting outside. By seven o’clock we had to close the kitchen because we had run out of everything! They next day we had to remain closed so we could restock the kitchen. And it just went on and on from there.”
With the business starting with such a bang, it was a lot for The Gatehouse’s small team to cope with, and the couple have had to work hard to keep things under control. “There’s just the two of us, one kitchen helper, one bar lady, who has been working here for over 10 years, and two 16-year-old part-timers…. Unfortunately, we can’t afford to hire more staff, with the cost-of-living and our low prices, it’s just not feasible. Instead, we prefer to do all the work ourselves, which means doing 15-hour days, but it’s just how the times are,” says Ewelina.
Through hard work and determination, The Gatehouse: Ale & Aloo has become well-known for its unique experience. With Desi Delights and even Masala Roasts on Sundays, it’s a pub that appeals not only to the locals but to those from the city too. “The best thing we did in the pub was to listen to what people wanted. We found out what they liked and disliked, and we have changed it to fit. We have had the privilege of being able to change things as and when we want to – it’s not like in a restaurant chain where it can take six months to a year to change the menu.” The ability to bring about change swiftly has reaped rewards for the business too. They’ve attracted a more diverse customer demographic, and regularly attract first time visitors. In under a year, Ewelina and Xavier have created a new business that offers something unique and much wanted by people in the area.
“What’s interesting is, before we took over this pub, it was wet-led boozer. But now it has become a destination dining venue. The pub experience is centred around the food offer, rather than being just a place to come and drink.”
But despite their success, the couple find themselves struggling in some areas. “I find doing the themed events hard. It’s quite overwhelming when you’ve put a lot of work into advertising it and not many people show up. It’s a big investment too,” says Ewelina. With that said, plans are in motion for a big summer, with an Indian twist on summer barbecues.
“We’ve been told that this pub was dying before, but we’ve brought it back to life. One guy even said that we had saved his favourite pub. “We are very interactive with people, especially Ewelina. She talks to every table,” says Xavier.
All the positive feedback from customers has inspired them to dream big. With less than a year under their belts, they are already considering a second site. “We’re looking into costs and locations, so we’re hoping to make that happen towards the end of the year,” says Xavier. “We’re lucky that Daniel Thwaites has been very helpful and is supportive in our journey to help take our concept to another venue.”
As newbies to pub ownership, the couple offers advice to other newcomers: do your research and figure out what sets you apart. “Look at your labour costs too. The beauty of us doing this together is that Ewelina can manage the front and I can manage the back and vice versa. We’re both hands on in every aspect of the business,” says Xavier. “I think the most important aspect is having a concept. If you’re opening a regular pub, then it’s going to be very hard. Concept and social media are vital. You need to sell it to your potential customers before you even open,” says Ewelina.
The Gatehouse: Ale & Aloo, is proof that with a great concept in the right location, the Great British pub can be anything you want it to be.