Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) has appointed Sherif Gewily as its new Business Partner to operate The Cowdray Arms in Haywards Heath.

Sherif has been part of the H&W Business Partner (tenanted) estate for over four years, having operated The Cherry Tree pub in Copthorne since 2020.

After taking over The Cowdray Arms in late August, Sherif invested £100K into transforming the pub into a high-quality steak house. The restaurant, now called ‘The Cowdray Steak House’, has undergone an extensive internal refurbishment, including a brand-new kitchen, and now has a comfortable lounge area where guests can enjoy a tipple before dinner.

A further £25K investment is planned for the business’ guest accommodation in the new year. Three double bedrooms at The Cowdray will be fully refurbished.

The Cowdray continues to offer a relaxed dining environment for all occasions. Sherif explained: “It is important to me to give back to our community, by providing an inclusive offering which appeals to all. From couples looking for a cosy drink after work, to families looking to get together with the grandparents, our menu is really versatile.

“Having run our sister pub, The Cherry Tree, for over four years, I know that locals demand high-quality, locally sourced food, and that is something I am really committed to delivering at The Cowdray. I am planning to install a dry aging cabinet for our steaks to ensure guests receive premium quality dishes, including T-bone steaks and Chateaubriand. However, we will still serve pub favourites such as our much-loved Sunday Roasts.”

Sherif has worked in the hospitality sector for over twenty years, having been employed by recognisable brands such as Jamie Oliver and Michelin-starred chef, Tom Aikens. Sherif has also travelled the world spending some time in France and Italy where he discovered his love for food.

Sherif added: “It was always my ambition to have my own business, and after being made redundant during the pandemic, it was the right time to finally make it happen. I worked for the Jame Oliver group as head chef for eight years and while this was a shock, it was the push I needed to make the leap and open The Cherry Tree.

“I can’t praise Hall & Woodhouse enough for the help the team has given me since I joined the Business Partner estate. I am so proud of what I have achieved, and now to be running a second business with H&W, is testament to the dedication and level of support the team provides. Taking on two businesses has been a lot of hard work, and I have only achieved this dream with H&W’s backing.”

All team members who were employed by the previous owner have been retained at The Cowdray, something which Sherif felt was the right thing to do. Sherif said: “I am really lucky to have a wonderful team, some of which I have worked with for over ten years. I am a firm believer that it truly is the people that make a business, and it is a pleasure to grow my team and retain the original Cowdray staff.”

The Cowdray Steak House is open Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 11pm, and Sunday, noon – 8pm. To view the restaurant’s menu, browse the latest deals including kids eat free this October half term, and to book a table, please visit www.thecowdrayarms.co.uk .