North Yorkshire pub reopens after £250k refurbs

The Green Dragon re opens in Wensleydale

The Green Dragon Inn, situated in Wensleydale has recently reopened following a quarter of a million pound refurbishment under a new operator.

The site has seen its kitchen transformed by businessman Andrew Hields, owner of the Tan Hill Inn, who has also undertaken a phased purchase agreement. Mr Hields commented:

“The Green Dragon is full of history and is one of the gems of the Yorkshire Dales. My team and I are so proud to be taking her forward in this new and exciting phase of her story.”

Owned by Hardraw based business owner Mark Thompson, who reopened the venue solely through wet sales in May 2023, after the property closed in August 2022 as tenants withdrew from business due to, as they cited, financial difficulties brought on by fuel costs.

Thompson signed the phased purchase agreement with Andrew Hields throughout March of this year. The site typically attracts visitors as the interior, which appeared as The Drovers Arms, was featured in the Channel 5 remake of “All Creatures Great and Small.”

The site has, since its refurbishment seen the implementation of eleven en-suite rooms which include apartments and family suites, as well as a function room which has been fully revamped with an added further 14 rooms also planned. The additional function room is set to host music, weddings and other events.

Owner of the site, Andrew Hields Is launching the Dragon’s Ascent Challenge a 15-mile route between the Green Dragon and Tan Hill Inn. Which is set to offer participants hospitality at the end of their scenic journeys.

The Green Dragon, similarly to the Tan Hill Inn, is set to offer regular weekly acoustic evenings on Wednesdays and also weekends.

The Alexandra reopens with an updated new bar

The Alexandra, a Grade II listed pub in Edgeley has undergone refurbishment introduced by Robinsons Brewery.

The site has seen a complete refurbishment throughout the bar area and toilets, where the authentic Victorian tiles have been restored in the male toilets adding to the sites underlying charm. The transformation has completely opened up the bar area, creating more space with the complete removal of the low false ceiling, as a result revealing the original ceiling and coving.

The historic feature of the pub’s Off License screen which was discovered upon the revamp, will also be restored as an original feature of the site, and used as a backdrop to the new bar. The former Off License area has been preserved and is now utilised as a new glass wash area and additional storage space.

Business Development Manager at Robinsons Tony said: “We’re excited for the community of Edgeley and beyond to experience the new-look Alexandra,”

He continued: “This refurbishment is a fantastic thing for the local area, and we’re proud to have maintained the Alexandra’s character as a true community pub whilst keeping its historical charm. I’d also like to thank Steve, our Pub Partner, for his great ideas and support throughout the process. We can’t wait to welcome everyone in and see how much they enjoy the new space.”

Town pub receives a £250,000 cash injection

The Canon, situated on Canon street, Wellingborough, re opened on Friday 16th August following a key investment of £250,000. As part of the Proper Pubs division at Admiral Taverns, the site has undergone a total transformation featuring a new bar area showcasing a specific games area with both a pool table and darts board.

New furniture as well as floorings and fixtures are installed throughout with live entertainment offered throughout opening weekend with a day of live music and entertainment held on Sunday 18th August.

Operator of The Cannon, Charley West said: “We had a fantastic night on Friday. It was great to see all our customers, old and new, coming to see what the pub has to offer! The refurbishment looks amazing and I couldn’t be happier.

He continued: “We received an incredibly positive response from the local community, and we can’t wait to see them all again soon.”

The Cannon offers a wide variety of drinks, including fizz, cocktails and wine. There is also a regular schedule of entertainment which offers live music, karaoke and a games club which features a wide variety of board games. The pub hosts both darts and a pool team, alongside live sport available through Sky Sports, TNT Sports and additional horse racing channels.

Matthew Gurney, Operations Director for Proper Pubs, said: “The refurbishment at The Cannon looks brilliant – you can see the hard work put in by the whole team to ensure the pub’s success.

On behalf of the Proper Pubs team, we would like to wish our community hero, Charley, the very best in making The Cannon a fantastic hub of the community and one of which the whole area can be proud.”

In March, Proper Pubs was named Best Community Pub Operator at the prestigious Publican Awards, and in the lead up to Christmas 2023, Proper Pubs donated 20,000 Christmas selection boxes, with other festive treats solely to local charities. The group has also been recognised for its UK-wide defibrillator fundraising installation campaign which has already saved up to 11 lives.

Blind Tiger Inns open 20th Pub

Blind Tiger Inns, Northwest multiple operator has opened their 20th pub on the weekend of the 24th August.

The Grey Man in Daisy Hill within Greater Manchester, has opened following a £150,000 cash injection from Star Pubs.

Features of the site include, an enlarged bar new stage and featured sports and entertainment. The venue also holds eight new HD TV screens. Seating outside is catered for over 100, with the front of the site featuring a new patio with seating and beer garden, with timber booths and children’s play equipment and astroturf.

Outside, funds have been spent on a complete overhaul creating seating for over 100. The front of the pub has a new patio area with seating and a picket fence and the beer garden four new timber booths each seating six, A-frame tables and benches, children’s play equipment and astroturf.

Managing director, Chris Tulloch said: “We typically look for pubs that require investment to bring them back to life. The Grey Man is in a superb location, with plentiful chimney pots in the immediate vicinity. It is in a great community, and we could see it had huge potential.” Find out more about the Blind Tiger Inn, here

Open Brewers pumps £114k into 12th site

Open Brewers, the Lancashire based multiple operator recently added the Queens Arms in Kirkham to its sixth Star Pub’s leasehold of it’s pubs estate. The site is set to receive a £114,000 refurbishment and will reopen again in August. Other Star Pubs consist of, the Pear Tree in Penworth, The Stanley Arms in Preston and the Red Lion in Longton.

Three new jobs are set to be brought about as a result of the investment, which will see a complete transformation of the site’s exterior.

Key features are to include new signage, furniture for pavement drinking, new lighting and new café barriers. The venue will also showcase a covered courtyard with TV and seating will also be available with an additional beer garden, showcasing new furniture and umbrellas. Outdoor seating capacity is also said to be expanded by 43% to a total of 112. Internally, the site will see a complete redecoration with seating capacity which will expand from 45 to 57, with the layout showcasing a lounge, tap room and bar area.

Founder of Open Brewers, Daniel Anderson says: “We’ve grown our estate organically, driven by the individual potential of a pub rather than by expansion targets. We’re always looking to recruit staff. We then find the pubs for our managers to run.

"The success of our business has been built around putting the right people in the right pubs to create something that works for each local community.” He continued: “We still have the same management in our first pubs because our choices are the right ones, and we look after staff. We see Open Brewers as a team business, where staff members have a voice. We do a lot of training identifying trends. It’s essential to look outside of the box and keep evolving the business.”

Arnos Arms reopens in Southgate

The Arnos Arms has returned To Southgate. The officially reopened this July following a change of ownership.

Showcasing classic British food and a variety of beverages and situated within Southgate the site offers Sky Sports and HD TVS as well as regular quiz nights held every Monday alongside seasonal events and revised beer and cocktail options. To find out more about The Arnos Arms here​.

First Erotica themed bar opens in Leeds

Leeds’ first erotica-themed cocktail bar, Behind Closed Doors located on Call Lane, has opened this August 23rd .

The site is open seven days a week, with Happy Hour every day from 5-7pm.

To highlight its launch, the bar held a huge £10,000 Instagram giveaway, with £250 bar tabs for 40 winners up for grabs.

Established in 2015 in Manchester's Northern Quarter, Behind Closed Doors is known for its salacious atmosphere. After ringing a bell and entering through a secret door, customers can expect 60s and 70s influenced design, with both erotic pictures and adult tv on the walls.

The venues cocktail menu features the Love Bite, a best seller a pink gin, raspberry and cucumber slushie; Smoke my Sweet, a barrel stave smoked old fashioned and Chocstar Martini. Also on offer is a chocolate espresso martini with whipped cream.

The bar also places a retro spin on dating, with phones on every table, designed to curate a more authentic experience. The site also offers live DJs from across the north playing exclusively vinyl, funk, soul and disco.

Director and creator of Behind Closed Doors, Nick Parr, said: “We have a totally unique concept that has to be experienced to be truly appreciated. We have designed the space with plenty of seating, an easily accessible bar area, and a dancefloor for our livelier patrons.

He continued: “With late nights and DJs every night, excellent drink selection and an atmosphere second to none, a night at Behind Closed Doors is one you won’t forget in a hurry.” He added, “We are very excited to open our doors in time for the summer bank holiday weekend and show the people of Leeds a great time.”

JDW to open new Waterloo station pub on Tuesday 3rd September

The company has spent £2.8m developing the Lion & Unicorn in the Sidings, within the former Eurostar terminus and will create 70 new jobs with the new site.

To find out more about the venue click here​.

• Check out the previous property round-up here ​​​​​​

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