A Preston pub, formerly known as The Welcome Tavern, has closed for major refurbishment works after coming under new management.
The pub, which is to be renamed The Hunters and is owned by leading Northern brewer Daniel Thwaites, has been taken over by Fayre Table in a £500,000 joint investment venture. As part of the redevelopment project, the pub will be substantially extended and modernised throughout. Upon opening, The Hunters will be the fourth successful partnership between the brewer and the pub and restaurant company.
Steven Greenhalf, managing director of Fayre Table, said: “As independent companies with strong Lancashire roots, there’s a natural synergy between Thwaites and ourselves which has proven to be a recipe for success in the series of pubs we’ve launched together. The Hunters is one of our biggest investments to date and will be a flagship establishment in our growing portfolio. We’ve worked closely with the Thwaites team to come up with a scheme that promises to be truly spectacular.”
The Hunters’ renovation will include the addition of a new state-of-the-art kitchen that will be more than triple the size of the previous facilities. This stylish pub is going to be the place to catch up with friends, unwind after work or simply find a sophisticated space to indulge in an excellent selection of food and drink. The brand new menu designed especially for The Hunters will bring you a great mix, featuring classic pub fayre and ‘tapitizers’. The brand new cocktail menu has been drawn up and tested and the bar will also stock Thwaites’ favourites Wainwrights & Lancaster Bomber. In keeping with The Hunters name, the pub’s interior will also see a major overhaul, featuring plaid carpets, mismatched wood and quirky hunting lodge themed accessories.
Managing the new look pub will be Paul Bloomer. Originally from Belfast, the publican has run a string of successful establishments throughout the UK and abroad. With a background in cocktails and events, he will be working closely with both the catering and bar staff to ensure the pub offers something unique to the Preston hospitality scene.
Paul said: “We’ve put a lot of effort into the pub’s redesign and have really considered the customer experience in every aspect of the build. As well as the huge kitchen extension, we’ve stripped walls out, lowered floors, and changed the proportions of the bar to improve rooms’ flow. The carpets have all been ripped up and replaced, we’ve commissioned bespoke real wood tables, and the outside areas have been landscaped.
“Before the doors open, you can be sure I will be checking every seat to make sure it’s comfortable, that the line of sight is right, there’s enough arm room and so on. We want to make sure absolutely everything is spot on for the big reveal.”
Paul and the rest of the management team hope the changes that are being made to the pub will resonate with locals, who will have been without their favourite watering hole for three months while renovations are taking place. Sports lovers will no doubt welcome news that the pub facilities will feature a new pool table and Sky Sports viewing area. Those with a competitive spirit will be encouraged to join the newly established darts league and pool teams. Little ones will also be catered for with plans to establish a “Kids Club” area and introduce an “ice cream treat trolley.”
Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations at Thwaites, said: “The re-launch of The Hunters will see the pub return bigger and better than ever. The level of investment by Thwaites signifies our commitment to the partnership with Fayre Table and our faith in the team to deliver a truly outstanding pub. We cannot wait to visit when the project is finished and are very excited to see what the future holds for the pub.”
Renovations works began in December 2014 and are expected to be completed in March, ready for the official opening on Sunday 15th March 2015.
For news and updates on the build progress, please visit www.hunters-preston.co.uk.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Eleanor Byrne: 0113 2372826, ebyrne@goodrelationsregional.co.uk
Claire Grew: 0113 2372825, mob 07786 091987, cgrew@goodrelationsregional.co.uk
About Daniel Thwaites
Daniel Thwaites is the North of England’s major independent family brewer. Founded in 1807, Thwaites has a rich heritage providing welcoming hospitality and award-winning beers that are brewed with skill and care from the highest quality ingredients.
Thwaites owns an estate of over 300 pubs, a small but growing group of characterful coaching inns and six four-star full service regional hotels and spas, which trade under the Shire Hotels banner.
In addition, Thwaites supplies a full range of drinks to many independently owned pubs, clubs and restaurants in the North of England and beyond and a wide range of bottled beers to most major supermarkets.
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