Such a lost opportunity

I think I can safely guarantee, that in ANY country on this planet, other than the UK, the place where this (typically British) sign sits, would be the start of a set of steps.

So, Mitchell & Butler, here’s the idea you missed. The steps I mentioned above would lead down to a wooden jetty / landing stage. It’s lit up in the evenings, and from May to October small boats, paddle-boarders, kayakers et al, use this entrance to join you, and partake of your £18.25 -plus Burgers.

Yes, the council will need to be involved, yes, the boat hire guys down the road will love you, yes the place will become (and not claim falsely) to be a ‘premier’ destination, and yes it’ll take work & money. Sorry, just money – no-one at Mitchell & Butler’s will actually be knee deep in the River Stour with a hammer, I presume.

The full height locking gate ‘up’ from said Jetty opens at midday, and closes when the kitchen stops. Simple idea, yet transformative.