A stunning £450,000 spent on a village pub will secure its long-term future, two years after people feared it had served its last pint.
Mike and Chris Yeatman have worked alongside Enterprise Inns to bring fresh life to the White Hart.
The Weston-in-Gordano pub has been transformed with the bar area, kitchen and toilets given a makeover.
A new menu, featuring gastro food and pizza, has also been introduced by the new publicans, who also run Venga restaurant and tapas bar in Portishead.
Mr Yeatman said: “We are confident the work we have carried out alongside Enterprise Inns will enable the White Hart to become a focal point for the local community and as such we are looking forward to welcoming back villagers and those from further afield.”
The pub was closed back in August 2013 after it was run by the Palomares family and the lease expired. With it facing an uncertain future, concerned villagers helped it be listed as an asset of community value to protect it.
But following months of repairs and rebuilding, the new look pub opened to the public for the first time on November 11.
A garden bar, small village shop, lounge and private first-floor dining room are among the changes introduced.
Artificial turf has also been added to the gardens ensuring they can be used throughout the year.
But arguably the most peculiar addition is a large wigwam outside, which can seat up to 50 people.
Mr Yeatman said: “We’ve already received a party booking from the airline as crew spotted the tepee as they were flying out of Bristol. It’s just another way of us maximising every part of the site so no space is wasted, and regardless of whether customers are in the pub, garden or tepee they will be able to relax in a fantastic environment.”
Unfortunately, just four days after opening part of the wigwam was damaged in a small fire.
Mike Pearce, a regional manager for Enterprise Inns, said the pub has enjoyed a ‘massive building transformation, combined with some creative innovation from Mike and Chris.”
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