Hickory’s Smokehouse revamp continues ahead of opening date

New signs have now gone up at the former Bystander pub in Wootton, where contractors are converting the pub into a Hickory’s Smokehouse.

Earlier this year, the Southern-style BBQ restaurant chain announced The Bystander pub in Wootton, near Abingdon, run by Greene King, is to become the home of one of its new restaurants.

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The new business is expected to create 100 new jobs and vacancies are being advertised for chefs, with a salary of up to £40,000 for a senior sous chef, £36,000 for a sous chef, and £33,000 for a junior sous chef.

Construction work is now well under way, and it is understood the new restaurant could be ready to open in September.

The former Bystander pub in Wootton near Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

The pub shut in April for refurbishment but no precise opening date has yet been revealed.

However, contractors working on site in Besselsleigh Road said they expected the new venue to open early in September.

One worker said earlier: “The new smokehouse should be ready to open by the start of September.

“The pub building needs to have wooden cladding all around it – that’s the style for Hickory’s Smokehouse – all their buildings look like that.”

The chain has been recruiting staff and a recent advert for a senior sous chef said: “We’re looking for a senior sous chef to join our passionate brigade of BBQ enthusiasts.

“You will be responsible for running our bespoke kitchen in the head chef’s absence, and in doing so you will be working towards becoming a head chef yourself.

“You will be working with and leading the team to deliver authentic fresh food-based BBQ menu in one of the busiest restaurants in town.”

Staff at Hickory’s Smokehouse in Abingdon (Image: Hickory’s Smokehouse)

There are also branches of Hickory’s Smokehouse in Milton Keynes and Swindon.

A new smokehouse opened in Swindon last year, the first of its kind in Wiltshire, replacing a Hungry Horse restaurant.

Hickory’s managing director John Welsh said earlier: “We are so excited to be heading to Abingdon.

“It’s an area that’s been on our wish-list for a while now, and we’re over the moon to finally be planning our first smokehouse in the town and our first in the wonderful county of Oxfordshire.

“We’ll be spending plenty of time getting to know the area and our ambition is to create something really special. We can’t wait to become part of the local community for many years to come.

“Across all our restaurants we love working with schools, charities, grassroots sports teams and community groups – and Abingdon will be no different.”

Food is served at Hickory’s Smokehouse (Image: Hickorys Smokehouse)

The first Hickory’s Smokehouse opened in 2010 in Chester, and the chain’s restaurants are now open across the North West, Midlands, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, North Wales and in other locations.