Former England cricket legend Stuart Broad has successfully swapped the cricket pitch for the pub trade, building a multi-million pound hospitality empire while planning a future with his fiancée, pop star Mollie King.
From Ashes Hero to Pub Tycoon
Now 39, Stuart Broad is celebrated for a stellar cricket career that included four Ashes victories and a reputation as one of England's finest Test bowlers. His focus has now shifted entirely to business. In 2016, he co-founded The Cat and Wickets Pub company with fellow former cricketer Harry Gurney.
The duo's venture has grown remarkably, now operating three pubs across the UK. Their portfolio includes The Tap and Run in Upper Broughton, The Griffin Inn in Swithland, Leicestershire, and The Long Hop in Burton-upon-Trent. Impressively, the company's turnover has skyrocketed from £1.2 million to £5.5 million in just three years, and they employ a team of 150 people.
Love, Family, and a Pub's 'Second Innings'
Broad's life off the field is equally fulfilling. He is engaged to Mollie King, vocalist for The Saturdays and a BBC Radio 1 host. Broad proposed in January 2021, and the couple are now parents to two daughters, Annabelle and Liliana. Their romance, however, wasn't without its early challenges. They initially dated but split in 2012, a separation Broad attributed in his 2023 autobiography to their demanding, globe-trotting careers.
King now supports Broad's business endeavours. One of their pubs, The Tap and Run, faced a severe setback when it was destroyed by a fire in 2022. Fortunately, no one was injured. The partners embarked on a £1.3 million renovation, which they humorously termed the pub's 'second innings,' reopening it a year later with an improved design.
Building a Legacy Beyond Cricket
Broad admits that his and Gurney's celebrity status as ex-cricketers has helped attract customers through social media, but he insists on maintaining high standards. "The pubs are reflective of us as people," he stated. He applies the same philosophy of continuous improvement he used in cricket to the business, actively learning from any customer feedback.
What began as a simple desire for a good Sunday lunch spot has evolved into a major business success. Stuart Broad has seamlessly transitioned from sports stardom to becoming a respected business mogul, all while building a beautiful family life with his pop star fiancée.
