(Image: Hope & Anchor)
Refurbishment works are well underway at a closed North East pub as part of a £320,000 investment project.
Hope & Anchor in Greatham, near Hartlepool, which has been closed for nearly a year, is being transformed by County Durham-based pub operators Scott Standing and Danielle Creswell in partnership with Heineken-owned Star Pubs.
Scott Standing and Danielle Creswell (Image: Star Pubs)
The major makeover began on October 12 and the pub is expected to reopen in early November.
In a statement, the pair said: "Things are really starting to take shape here at The Hope & Anchor in Greatham.
"As you can see, there's a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes as we give this fantastic village pub a new lease of life."
Hope & Anchor aims to seat 48 customers indoors and 32 outside when it reopens in November. (Image: Hope & Anchor)
They added: "From a complete transformation inside to creating a brilliant new outdoor space, we're putting a lot of time, effort and investment into making The Hope & Anchor somewhere the whole community can be proud of.
"There's still plenty to do, but we're making great progress, and we can't wait to show you the finished result."
(Image: Hope & Anchor)
The refurbishment is expected to create 10 new jobs and will include a full interior upgrade, expanded seating, and a new kitchen.
Outside, the pub will be repainted in teal blue with white windows and new signage.
(Image: Star Pubs)
The rear decking area will be replaced and fitted with barrel-style furniture and festoon lighting.
A new mural and repurposed canoe planters will add to the pub’s nautical theme.
Mr Standing said: "Both of us were brought up in the area and feel passionately that towns and villages need pubs to bring people together and keep communities alive and thriving.
"So, we’re excited to be opening another pub in the area, one that Greatham residents can easily walk to, and to be creating local jobs, supporting the area and its residents."
The couple plan to introduce a variety of activities once the pub reopens, including interactive darts, pool and darts matches, regular live music, and a quiz night.
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They also hope to host charity events, society gatherings, and seasonal activities such as Christmas wreath-making classes, car boot sales, and local markets.
The upgraded kitchen will serve a menu of pub classics with a fine dining twist, including roast duck, fish and chips, and Sunday lunches.
Hope & Anchor aims to seat 48 customers indoors and 32 outside when it reopens in November.