Former Great British Pub Awards finalist to begin £230k refurb

The Bridgewater in Darwen, which was named Best Managed House in the North-West in the Great British Pub Awards 2013, has closed temporarily for a top-to-toe refurbishment which will create two new jobs.

It will re-open on Wednesday 26 March and boast a new menu and an increasing number of cask ale pumps at the bar, giving its customers a greater choice of nationally and locally sourced ales.

Lancashire brewer Moorhouse's is creating a special ale, named ‘Industry, for the re-launch, as an acknowledgment to the industrial heritage of Darwen.

The Bridgwater will also open with a packed schedule of entertainment including a relaunched Thursday evening quiz night, which regularly attracts over 70 participants, a new Friday ‘Decadence’ evening, focusing on music from the 70s to today, a disco-themed Saturday night and a ‘Guilty Pleasures’ evening every Sunday.

Three extra TV screens are to be installed, meaning there will be 11 throughout the pub.

Celebration

To celebrate the pub’s refurbishment, general manager Adam Hulme and his team will be hosting a reception on 26 March from 5pm, with complimentary champagne and canapés for locally invited business customers and VIP guests.

Joining them for the evening will be Mayoress of Darwen, Councillor Eileen Entwistle, while a table magician will provide entertainment throughout the evening.

Hulme said, “There is a lot of anticipation in the town about the pub’s refurbishment and it certainly won’t disappoint. Everything that our customers love about the pub, its great food and drinks choice, brilliant community spirit, fun vibrant party nights and top sports viewing facilities are here to stay, but extras are now even better. We are particularly excited about the new dishes being introduced onto the menu, cocktail choices and added variety of cask ales.

“The Bridgewater has always been the go to -pub in the area for its loyal customers and now with its new look, we hope to attract more new customers to enjoy what it has to offer.”