The Rising Sun in Chelmsford, which is dog friendly, opened its doors once again yesterday (Thursday 21 April) following a refurbishment, led by Eksteen, to both the inside and outside of the pub.
Admiral Taverns’ business development manager Mick Sheridan said: “Evan has done a fantastic job with the Rising Sun and we’re very pleased to have him on board at Admiral.
“The pub has got so much character and is oozing personality thanks to all the work Evan has put in. I’m really looking forward to seeing it shine and the residents make the most of it.”
Restored to former glory
Working with Admiral, which owns 1,600 pubs across the UK, Eksteen has updated the Rising Sun’s beer garden, which seats up to 50 people and has been fitted with a brand-new pagoda, as well as wooden benches, atmospheric lighting, and outdoor heating.
In keeping with the pub’s history, its wooden floor and existing brick work have been restored to their former glory, with a modern twist through statement wallpaper, lighting, and furniture.
Furthermore, the Rising Sun offers a selection of draught lagers and ales including Heineken, Pravha, Guinness as well as an American IPA and Brighton-based real ale.
Eksteen, who has 20 years’ experience in the industry, has also implemented a new cocktail menu in addition to a wide range of wines and spirits and pop-up food offerings such as pizzas and barbeques as summer approaches.
Inclusive space
Weekly Thursday quiz nights are also to be introduced, as well as quarterly comedy evenings for locals to enjoy with their friends and families, as Eksteen stated his focus was to re-introduce the Rising Sun as a social hub for the community.
He said: “I get a huge sense of satisfaction out of giving back to a community and taking over the Rising Sun has offered me the perfect opportunity to do just that.
“I want to make the pub an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to stop in anytime, no matter the occasion.
“Thanks to this incredible refurbishment, there is a new dawn for the Rising Sun and I’m very excited for the future of the pub.”
