Major investment for Yorkshire pub

Scott Westlake, who owns the pub on a leasehold basis, told The Morning Advertiser​ the money had been invested to transform the pub. The kitchen has been completely revamped to overhaul the food offer, new furniture has been added and the original brickwork has been sandblasted. However, the bar area will retain its original oak panels and slate flooring.

The final part of the refurbishment will be the addition of a £12,000 kids play area in the next month. Westlake says this is a vital investment to attract the local family market and give something back to the local community.

Fulfilling dreams

Westlake worked in the pub when he was 14 years old and took the pub on a leasehold basis in December 2015 after managing it for five years. He says that the refurbishment is just the next stage of realising his dreams for the site.

“I always dreamed of owning the Myrtle when I was younger. The pub was a big part of my life growing up and gave me my very first weekend job at the age of 14. Taking over ownership in December 2015 has been a massive career step for me and I've been lucky to have such fantastic local support which has put me in the fortunate position to invest money back in to the pub. 

“It's an important landmark in the community and we wanted to keep the traditional pub feel, but needed to add a modern twist to protect its future. I'm really pleased with the results,” he said.

Westlake said he had made no profit during his time running the pub because it had all been ploughed back into the refurbishment to help realise the “long-term potential” of the site.