Holts spends £500,000 on pub refurbs

Manchester brewer and pub operator Joseph Holt has spent almost £500,000 on refurbishing two pubs — the Cheadle Hulme in Cheadle and Heaton Mersey's Griffin Hotel.

More than £250,000 has been spent on updating the interior of the Cheadle Hulme and revising its menu to offer freshly cooked meals to accompany the new carvery. A raised seating area in the lounge has also been added.

"The new look is first class and the food is absolutely excellent," said a regular customer. "We'll definitely be telling everyone we know to get down here."

The Griffin Hotel had a more modest £200,000 make-over of its interior and new Great Local Menu menu, which will also feature freshly sourced local produce.

A covered, heated terrace has been introduced and TV screens have gone up to enable the pub to show live sport.

"The dining and bar area looks fantastic, but I believe the real hit will be the terrace," said manager of the Griffin Steve Smith. "It offers our customers al fresco drinking whatever the weather."

The pubs reopened last month.