A catch-up and a cuppa (or should that be a beer?) with Richard Holmes, co-founder of Pint Shop on Peas Hill
Cambridge Edition: How are things going at Pint Shop?
Richard Holmes: I think it’s fair to say there is never a dull moment! 2025 was a busy year for us. We’ve been working hard on our food menu and I’m so proud of what the kitchen team have done. Drinks-wise, the beer line-up is as strong as ever. I think we’ve really found our groove bridging between the uber-cool craft beer scene and the mainstream pubs.
CE: What are your favourite dishes and tipple on this year’s winter season menus?
Why not try the Mrs Bones Mixed Grill big sharing platter
RH: Oh, that’s a tough one to narrow down! I think one of my favourites must be the Dingley Dell pork belly with sage, fennel and lemon crumb. It’s been on the menu with various garnishes since day one. We slow cook the pork belly overnight so its super tender. This winter we’re serving it with local roasted apples and cooking juices – it’s delicious.
My other favourite right now is the Mrs Bones Mixed Grill. It’s a meat lover’s dream. A big sharing platter of Scotch egg, our pork belly, flat iron steak, sausage from Barkers in Shelford, lamb leg steak and chicken schnitzel. We pile these on chargrilled garlic flatbreads, so they soak up all the juices. Then there’s green sauce, peppercorn sauce and any two sides. It’s quickly gaining a bit of a cult following.
Tipple-wise, it’s stout weather for me, so London Black from Anspach & Hobday is my go-to. It’s a nitro porter, so rich and creamy with a great roasted malt flavour.
CE: How does it feel, now that you’re 12 years down the road, still seeing the venue you created alive with good vibes each day?
RH: A lot has changed and happened in the past 12 years. Our industry is facing challenging times and all off the back of Covid recovery. We’ve had to adapt just to keep going but we are still here, and I feel genuinely amazed and grateful for that.
I think my favourite thing is seeing customers who come in on their own, taking a little bit of time out to have a
solo pint and a Scotch egg. I love that we can give that simple treat to people, it makes me so happy.
CE: Any exciting plans coming up for this new year?
These dishes are an absolute dream for meat lovers
RH: Always planning. We are going to be working on our food menu again, and are looking into sharing Sundays – big family-style roasts for the whole table. Weekend breakfast, Pint Shop style, is also in the pipeline. I’m excited about this one: the Scotch egg breakfast is going to be a thing of joy, I hope!
We’re refreshing some of the house beers too, with great brewers lined up, and we also have new suppliers coming on board, so we’ll be working with more local legends of the Cambridge food scene.
CE: If you had to choose, which is your favourite table at Pint Shop?
RH: This is an easy one. It must be the cask bar snug. Get a group of mates and settle in for some winter beers and snacks. It is so cosy and right by the bar so you don’t have far to go to get the next round in.
CE: And if you could invite any five people to join your table, who would you choose and why?
RH: Classic question. There are too many to choose from, but I’ll go with a music guestlist that would make a great evening.
Head of the table goes to Liam Gallagher, my absolute idol growing up; great stories to tell and very funny. Elton John is another hero of mine. I’m a Watford fan and he’s been a big part of our club and lived an incredible life. Guy Garvey, the frontman of Elbow. I love listening to his radio show on a Sunday afternoon; he’s got a lovely view of the world. Amy Winehouse, who’s an absolute superstar, and Little Simz: she’s so talented and full of attitude, I love her music.
