Seven pubs in and around Nottingham and Derby are set to receive a £2.17m investment this summer to give them a new lease of life creating great quality locals. 112 jobs will be created as a result.
The pubs benefiting from major investments include The Dorset Arms in West Bridgford, The New Trent in Radcliffe on Trent, The Major Oak in Arnold, Keoghs in Nottingham city centre, The Railway, Belper, The Corner Pin, Chellaston and The Wilsthorpe, Long Eaton.
Building work is already underway at the Railway, Belper, and will start on 28 May at The Wilsthorpe, Long Eaton. The £391k refurbishment of The Wilsthorpe will modernise the pub and improve its décor, broadening its appeal to more families. It will be closed for around six weeks and when it reopens will offer food for the first time.
Local licensee Amanda Jones (pictured), who also has The Sportsman in Long Eaton, another Star Pubs & Bars site, and has been running The Wilsthorpe on a temporary basis for the last 12 months, has taken on the lease with her partner lee Wharmby.
Funds are being spent improving the space within the pub, creating disabled access and a flexible drinking and dining area which can also be used for private functions. The look and feel will be modern country inn.
Outside, the pub is being given a complete facelift with new wooden cladding and cream coloured render along with new lighting, signage and furniture. The outside seating is being doubled providing capacity for 94 customers to enjoy alfresco eating and drinking and a new play area is also planned.
Jones said, “I had only intended to run the pub on a temporary basis until a new licensee was found to take it forward. However, once in I really liked it and could see its potential.
'Previously it wasn’t a very friendly place to go, there was no entertainment and the drinks were too expensive. We were able to change all of that. I love it now and can’t wait to see it modernised and to give the community a fantastic local they can be proud of.”
Star Pubs & Bars operations director, Alun Johnson said, “These investments are a sign of our confidence in the future of the Great British pub. We’re thinking big and investing substantially in order to attract new customers and establish great pubs that will stand the test of time.
'Our investment in and around Nottingham and Derby will see two closed pubs reopened transforming them into top quality locals offering food and a great drinks selection, the creation of family friendly local community pubs and reinvigorated cask and craft ale orientated city and town pubs.”