Bolton Inns & Star invests £465k in pub upgrade


Multiple operator, Bolton Inns has taken on its third site with Star Pubs & Bars in a year, The Railway at Lye, West Midlands.

The two companies are now together investing £465k in a major upgrade of the pub to create a top top-quality family friendly local with what is billed to be the best pub garden in the area.

The refurbishment of The Railway follows on from a successful refurbishment of the Hare & Hounds in Halesowen that Bolton Inns undertook with Star Pubs & Bars in 2018, its first site with the pub company.

The Hop Pole in Bromsgrove, a music venue followed shortly after. The Railway Lye brings to 10 the number of community pubs in the Bolton Inns estate.

Bolton Inns Managing Director, Edward Bolton said, “Expansion is at the forefront of what we’re doing. We plan to open five more community pubs in the West Midlands in the next two to three years.

“We have been able to grow quickly due to Star Pubs & Bars’ flexibility and the great relationship we have with our BDM. We have worked closely with him to pinpoint sites that would work for our brand and offer communities strong, well-maintained pubs offering affordable food and drink.”

The Railway will be closed for around six weeks reopening mid to late November. 20 new jobs are being created on the back of the changes to the pub, which will see food and barista-style coffee introduced for the first time.

Inside, the pub is being reconfigured to create more space and improve the ‘flow’. The bar and dining areas are being enlarged increasing the seating capacity from 46 to 65 and a commercial kitchen installed, enabling the pub to offer traditional pub food.

The beer garden will offer the best of both worlds for adults and children creating distinct areas for each to relax in. This will include a new kids play area with climbing frame swings and monkey bars; and for the adults, a covered and glazed sports area with pool tables, darts and big screens for watching live sports.

The patio is being extended to create seating for 90 for alfresco eating and dining with festoon lighting to add to the ambience.

The pub exterior is also being given a smarter look with the half of the pub re-rendered in an elegant mushroom colour and new signage, lighting and planters installed.

Star's Regional Operations Director, Caren Geering said, “Lye is a great suburb with lots of residents and different places to eat and drink in. What it doesn’t have is a family friendly Premium Local that serves great food and has a large garden.

'The refurbishment of The Railway will allow the pub to fill that gap and in so doing become the heart of the community.”