Mon 2nd Sep 2013 - Breaking News - Spirit lines up second premium London Opening Spirit lines up second premium London opening: Spirit Pub Company will open its second premium London pub later this month after the successful conversion of the George pub in Belsize Park, a Taylor Walker site, earlier this year. The Cricketers in Kew Green, a former Chef & Brewer, is set to re-open as part of Spirit’s Premium Pub Company segment on Thursday 19 September. Spirit operates a second Chef & Brewer site nearby and the pub’s location made it ideal for the move upmarket. The pub, which has seen a £260,000 refurbishment, has been renamed as a nod to the rich cricket history in Richmond. It will pay homage to the traditional British sport within its décor and offer upgraded seating and decking area. Head chef is Tracey De Villiers and general manager is Paolo Corgiolu.  Characterised by ‘inspired, great British pub food’, bar snacks include a roast Cornish sirloin and horseradish sandwich; roast chicken club with basil mayonnaise sandwich; and a black bomber and ale chutney sandwich.  Typical small plates and sharing boards include a half pint of prawns with garlic mayonnaise, duck liver pate with crusty bread and a farmhouse deli board which boasts wild boar scotch duck egg, roast Cornish sirloin, duck liver pate served with blacksticks blue cheese and ale chutney.  Main courses offer choices such as Rosemary, garlic and parmesan crusted rack of lamb served with Jersey royals and steamed asparagus; Pan-roasted chicken breast served with wild mushroom and stilton mousse, crispy pancetta and broccoli; and seabass fillets with razor clams, king prawns and Samphire. There will be 17 craft ales and 15 different gins available. Spirit chief executive Mike Tye told Propel in June that Spirit would trial its premium format in different types of locations. He said: “It’s going really well at The George – we’re really pleased. We got most things right at The George but you always learn a few things. The George doesn’t have the best pitch so the way it is performing is very encouraging. There are loads of sites we want to do and two are waiting on planning consent.”