THE entrance to Portishead High Street has had a major facelift with the £1.6million refurbishment of a former water mill.

Bristol-based Mezzé Restaurants has injected a new lease of life into the building, securing its future and re-energising the entrance to the town centre.

The historic inn, which dates back to 1810, was a former old tide mill with the waters of the Bristol Channel reaching up as far as the mill, providing a mooring point for boats.

The listed building was more recently known as the White Lion pub but had been derelict since 2010.

Residents’ repeated criticism of the decaying building creating a bad impression for the town is now a thing of the past.

The finishing touches are being added to Mezzé at The White Lion which opens to the public on July 5. It will be the sixth restaurant in the family-run firm and is being described as Mezzé’s jewel in the crown following the makeover.

A new heated roof top terrace and sunken Mediterranean gardens have been created, along with an ice cream parlour, cocktail bar, Mezzé restaurant and à la carte restaurant. In addition the former skittle alley has been converted to provide a function room.

Landscaping is currently underway in the gardens and Mezzé will be working with Portishead in Bloom to keep them at their best all year round.

Mezzé owner Alex Tryfonos, who lives in Ham Green, said: “Everyone loves what we do and we feel we are investing and helping to raise the profile of the areas in which we locate, as well as providing new jobs.” For more information visit www.mezzerestaurants.com