Lapen Inns

Subodh “Sub” Gautam, founder of Lapen Inns, envisioned reviving British pubs by infusing them with Nepalese warmth, cuisine, and community spirit. Subodh Gautam’s story starts thousands of miles away in the mountains of Nepal. Born and raised in Nepal, Subodh learned early the value of communal hospitality – in Nepalese culture, sharing food and welcoming guests is a sacred tradition that reinforces family and community ties. (There is even a popular saying “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning “Guests are like gods,” reflecting the deep respect for hospitality in Nepal.) With these values in his heart, Subodh arrived in the UK in 2009 to study and pursue his dreams. He earned a Graduate Diploma in Business Management and gained years of hands-on experience in hospitality and retail. Before long, Subodh found himself working in a Birmingham pub that served Nepalese food – an eye-opening glimpse at how two cultures could complement each other on a plate. He went on to open a small café in London and even managed a pub in Staffordshire. Each step taught him something new about great service, quality food, and the importance of community. Yet, he held onto a bigger dream: to build his own pub group across the East of England that offered authentic Nepalese dining in a classic pub setting. “I have always dreamt of owning a successful business,” Subodh recalls. “With my background in hospitality and a passion for excellent customer service, I am committed to providing great food and drinks while involving the community in everything we do”.

Subodh’s vision for Lapen Inns grew from both his heritage and his new home. Traditional British pubs have long been more than just places to grab a pint – they are the heart of their communities, informal town halls where neighbors meet, stories are shared, and everyone knows your name. Subodh loved that “local pub” atmosphere of warmth and belonging. At the same time, he knew from his Nepalese upbringing that food and hospitality could take that atmosphere to another level. In Nepal, meals are often a communal affair, with families gathering around shared dishes, and guests treated with utmost warmth. Why not bring some of those spices, literally and figuratively, into British pubs? The result was an innovative concept: blend the charm of a classic English pub with the unique flavours and generosity of Nepalese cuisine. In each Lapen Inns pub, you’ll find hand-pulled ales, cozy corners, and friendly staff – everything you’d expect from a good British pub – alongside the aromas of cumin, coriander, and Himalayan spices wafting from the kitchen. The menu offers both pub classics (yes, you can still get Fish & Chips or a Veg/Vegan Burger & Chips) and authentic Nepalese dishes, from momo (Nepalese dumplings) to rich curries, all crafted by chefs who hail from Nepal. Nepalese cuisine itself is wonderfully diverse – influenced by the country’s many ethnic groups and neighboring India and Tibet. You’ll find dishes ranging from mild to fiery, always bursting with fresh herbs and bold spices that reflect Nepal’s cultural mosaic. Crucially, Subodh and his team didn’t just transplant Nepalese food into pubs; they brought the whole spirit of Nepalese hospitality with it. That means a welcoming smile at the door, a philosophy that “the customer is family, not just a number,” and an atmosphere where sharing and community are front and center. “We strongly believe that people want to feel welcome in a good quality, friendly, and consistently well-run pub,” says Subodh. “Our pubs are local meeting places… our customers are respected and not just seen as numbers”. In Nepalese culture, food is an expression of love and respect, and you can feel that in every Lapen Inns location – whether it’s in the hearty Namaste! greeting as you walk in, or the extra Nepalese chili sauce the chef insists you try with your meal.

The Lapen Inns story truly began with a single struggling pub in 2021. Subodh and his business partners – chefs Ravi Acharya and Purna Man Bajracharya – took a leap and acquired a lease for The Railway, a local pub in the Fenland town of Whittlesey. As the vision grew, they were joined by a dedicated team including Sanjog Gautam, Basanta Gautam, and Diwakar Subedi, who became integral parts of the growing Lapen Inns family. On 30 August 2022, The Railway Pub reopened its doors, and what a transformation it was. In less than a year, Subodh and his team turned this quiet pub into a bustling community hub celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere. The Railway became a place where locals could enjoy a crisp pint of ale while watching the football match on big screens, then stay for a steaming plate of homemade Nepalese curry afterward. The combination was an instant hit – a family-friendly pub with great beer, live sports, and momos on the menu – something Whittlesey had never seen before. Word spread that The Railway had been "saved," and the community embraced the new concept with open arms. The Railway in Whittlesey – Lapen Inns’ first pub – was revived into a bustling pub and restaurant with sports nights, live music, and an enticing Nepalese menu that drew crowds from day one (Photo: The Railway Pub, Whittlesey) Buoyed by the Railway’s success, Subodh pressed forward. On 1 June 2023, Lapen Inns opened The Bell in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire. The Bell is a village pub with a rich history – it even once served as the town’s fire station generations ago. Lapen Inns lovingly restored The Bell’s historic charm and added a culinary twist. Locals who remembered The Bell from years past were delighted to see it alive again, now with the cozy old-world pub ambiance intact but energized by the aroma of Nepalese spices from the kitchen. The formula was working: by offering something for everyone – a pint and a pie, or a chiya (Nepalese spiced tea) and a plate of sizzling momo – The Bell quickly became the talk of Sawtry. It turns out that a small village pub could indeed become a destination when you pair great beer with great curry. Encouraged by how these pubs were thriving, Lapen Inns expanded its vision to more communities. The growth continued through 2024 and 2025, seeing a total of eight pubs reborn under the Lapen Inns banner across the East of England. Each pub added a new chapter to the story:

• The Old Crown (Girton) – Opened 1 August 2024 in a quaint village just outside Cambridge, this pub became the third venture. The Old Crown brought Lapen’s winning blend of community events, quality ales, and Nepalese dining to Girton, quickly becoming a local favorite for families and students from nearby Cambridge alike.
• The Corner House (Cambridge) – Reopened 12 December 2024 on Newmarket Road. A CAMRA-awarded Art Deco pub that pairs Nepalese feasts with cask ales, live sport lounges, retro gaming, and private garden cabins for every celebration.
• The White Horse (Waterbeach) – Opened 1 February 2025 in the village of Waterbeach, just north of Cambridge. Housed in a centuries-old coaching inn, The White Horse blends centuries of history with modern culinary flair. Visitors can sip a pint under wooden beams that have seen countless stories since coaching days, all while savoring Nepali dishes that are entirely new to the locale.
• The Prince of Wales (Bromham) – Opened 14 February 2025 in Bromham, Bedfordshire. In this picturesque village, the Prince of Wales pub offers the comfort of a classic English country pub alongside the exciting tastes of Nepal. It quickly became known for its hearty Nepalese momo as much as for its pints of bitter.
• The Queen Elizabeth (King’s Lynn) – Opened 12 June 2025 in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Formerly an old pub called The Wildfowler, Lapen Inns revamped it with a £100,000 refurbishment and a brand-new menu. The Queen Elizabeth pub is now the only pub in its area serving authentic Nepalese food, a fact that’s drawn curiosity and big crowds from day one. Locals marvel at how they can get spicy chicken chow mein (a Nepalese-Tibetan favorite) in a pub that still offers their favorite ale and Sunday carvery.
• The Barley Mow (Hartford, Huntingdon) – Opened 4 July 2025 in the village of Hartford. The Barley Mow, a beloved historic pub on Main Street, had been closed for a time, but Lapen Inns stepped in to reopen it and introduce their signature Nepalese twist. Today, the Barley Mow is once again a warm, family-friendly hub of the community, where you might find neighbors enjoying Nepalese grilled meats on the patio on a summer evening, or a packed house for quiz night with plates of sizzling Nepalese-style barbecue being shared among friends.

Each of these openings was a milestone, not just for Subodh and his team but for the communities they joined. In just a few years, Lapen Inns grew from one pub to eight thriving pubs, defying the trend of pub closures. “All of our sites have become successful,” Subodh notes proudly – a testament to how the right mix of good food, good beer, and genuine hospitality can turn the tide.

From the beginning, Lapen Inns has stood for more than just good food and drink. Subodh’s mantra was that a pub should feel like an extended family living room – a place where everyone is welcome and valued. “Our pubs are not just businesses but integral parts of the community, where locals feel valued and at home,” Subodh says. Walk into any Lapen Inns location and you’ll feel this ethos immediately. The atmosphere is intentionally family-friendly and inclusive, harking back to the days when the pub was a multigenerational gathering spot. You’ll see parents with kids enjoying early evening meals (yes, there are kids’ menus and high-chairs available), and you’ll see the older regulars nursing their usual pints while chatting with the bar staff who know their names. Community events and activities are at the heart of these pubs. Each location hosts a variety of events – from traditional pub quizzes and live music nights to Nepalese cultural festivals and charity fundraisers. For example, at the newly opened Queen Elizabeth in King’s Lynn, Subodh plans to host summer barbecues and live music every Sunday to bring people together. Sports are a big draw as well: the pubs feature high-definition screens and subscribe to Sky Sports and TNT Sports, so locals flock in to cheer on everything from Premier League football to cricket matches. During major tournaments or rugby internationals, the pubs are alive with energy – the chef might even bring out some spiced chhoyela (grilled meat) as a bar snack special for the occasion! The Railway in Whittlesey was one of the first to prove how popular this mix of sports and spice could be, regularly packing the house on game nights. Lapen Inns pubs have also revitalized local landmarks and historic properties. Many of the pubs Subodh chose have long histories in their towns. By investing in them, Lapen Inns not only saved the buildings from potential dereliction but gave them a meaningful new chapter. The Bell in Sawtry, for instance, still displays memorabilia of its past life as the village fire station, even as its kitchen serves up Nepalese momo dumplings alongside British bangers and mash. The White Horse in Waterbeach retains the feel of the old coaching inn it once was, with old photographs on the walls and a traditional wooden bar – only now those walls echo with the laughter of guests enjoying Nepalese thali platters as much as pints. Each pub strikes a balance between preserving local heritage and injecting fresh cultural energy. This fusion has brought pride to locals: their cherished pub isn’t just saved – it’s prospering, and introducing neighbors to new experiences. Crucially, Subodh’s initiative has had a direct positive impact on local economies. Across the eight pubs, dozens of jobs have been created – from chefs to bar staff – often hiring locally and even bringing in Nepali chefs who share their culinary heritage. When The Queen Elizabeth reopened in King’s Lynn, for example, it created five new jobs on the spot, and the staff of a closed pub in Oakham were all offered positions at the new site. Lapen Inns also supports local suppliers whenever possible, buying meats, vegetables, and of course beer from regional producers (while also importing special Nepali spices). It’s a business that recycles success back into the community.

Perhaps the most telling measure of Lapen Inns’ impact comes from the people who visit these pubs. The response from customers has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic – not just for the food, but for the feeling these pubs give them. Here are just a couple of voices from the community:

• One first-time visitor to The Railway Pub in Whittlesey was amazed by the experience. “First time going for us. Food was delicious, staff were friendly, and they can even give you tubs to take leftovers home. Would visit again as I want to try the mixed grill – they arrive at the table sizzling and look really good,” one customer wrote excitedly. This kind of feedback is common: people love the food and the fact they feel truly taken care of by the warm staff. (And yes, the famous Nepalese sizzling mixed grill – a fragrant platter of seared meats that comes out crackling on a hot plate – has converted many a skeptic into a Nepalese cuisine fan!)
• In Sawtry, a local resident praised the takeaway meals from The Bell as “one of the best takeaways we have ever had,” referring to the pub’s Nepalese dishes. Many who were initially curious about “the new Nepalese menu in the pub” have since become regulars, whether dining in or grabbing takeout momo and curry on a weekly basis. The refrain of “I’ve never had Nepalese food before, and now I love it!” has been heard time and again in these pubs.

Such testimonials highlight something deeper than just good food; they show that Lapen Inns is creating memorable experiences. Families celebrate birthdays at these pubs, mixing English and Nepalese dishes on the table. Local sports teams toast their wins (or drown their losses) there, often with a curry in hand. Older patrons smile as they see younger ones discovering new flavors in a familiar setting – it bridges generations and cultures at once. As one TripAdvisor review noted about the Barley Mow in Hartford, “Lapen Inns are doing wonders for this local pub”, underscoring how much the community appreciates the revival.

What started as Subodh Gautam’s single pub experiment has blossomed into a pub renaissance across multiple counties. Lapen Inns today stands as proof that with creativity, passion, and respect for community, even the toughest challenges can be overcome. At a time when so many pubs have been lost for good, Lapen Inns is writing a different story – one of resilience, innovation, and cultural fusion. It’s a story where a pub can be both comfortably old-fashioned and excitingly new at the same time. And the journey is far from over. Subodh and his team have ambitious plans to keep growing and bringing their concept to new towns and villages that need a lifeline for their local pub. In fact, Lapen Inns aims to open several more sites in the next two years. As they carefully pick the next venues, one thing is certain: wherever Lapen Inns goes next, they will uphold the same core mission – to save cherished pubs from closure and turn them into vibrant, welcoming spaces infused with Nepalese hospitality. In Subodh’s words, “the pubs are theirs – the customers’ – and where they socialise”. This guiding belief is what makes Lapen Inns pubs feel so different. Each pub truly belongs to its community, and Lapen Inns is just the caretaker, ensuring it’s well-run, affordable, and full of heart. Competitive prices, great quality pints and curries, comfortable surroundings, and a high standard of service – these are promises kept at every location. In the end, the Lapen Inns story is about bringing people together. It’s about an immigrant entrepreneur honoring both his new home and his homeland, uniting them in the most convivial of settings – the local pub. It’s about patrons who might walk in as strangers but, over shared plates of food and friendly conversation, leave as neighbors and friends. It’s proof that even as times change, the spirit of the pub as a communal haven can not only survive, but also evolve and thrive in delicious new ways. So come on in. Pull up a chair at one of our pubs. Have a pint of your favorite ale or try a basket of momo dumplings with house chilli achar. Join the quiz night or just chat with Subodh if he’s around – he’ll happily tell you about that time he first dreamed of this fusion concept back in Nepal. At Lapen Inns, “It’s always your round”, because you’re more than a customer – you’re part of the family. And as long as Lapen Inns has something to say about it, the great British pub will continue to be a place of community, culture, and warm hospitality for generations to come.