The Schooner in Amble, Northumberland, set to reopen in mid-April after being closed for three years
Licensee of the Schooner Robbie Morgan, is undertaking a £420,000 joint refurbishment with Star Pubs to transform the site. The reopening is thought to create around 16 new jobs.
The refurbishment aims to create a family and dog-friendly premium pub with en-suite bedrooms and a great food offering.
The interior will be reconfigured to include both a locals bar and main bar/dining lounge. Upgrades will include new toilets, a commercial kitchen, signage, en-suite bathroom lighting and seating for 48 on the front terrace.
The beer garden will also feature new seating, planters, and festoon lighting.
Morgan said: “Both the Half Moon and the Schooner are located in tourist locations have letting rooms, providing additional income streams. Their offers appeal to locals and tourists alike”.
Star Pubs Business Development Manager Tammy Molson said: “Robbie has done a fantastic job turning around the Half Moon at Stakeford. The investment together with his high standards and innovative menu ideas will transform the fortune of the Schooner too”.
”It’s great to be reopening the Schooner and adding to the attractions of Amble. I look forward to helping Robbie realise his ambitions and to visiting the pub when it reopens”.
Ma Pub Group expands portfolio with Newington Temple acquisition
Liverpool based Ma Pub Group is set to broaden its city-centre presence with the acquisition of Newington Temple.
This will mark the groups fourth site alongside Nova Scotia, Tempest on Tithebarn and Ma Boyles Alehouse & Eatery.
MA Pub Group will invest £150,000 to revitalise the pub, aiming to create 15 new jobs.
Newington Temple is located just off Bold Street. The reopening is said to be mid-March this year, after a three-week refurbishment.
Ma Pub Group plans to transform Newington Temple into a traditional, wet-led pub with emphasis on draught and cask ales paired with Premier League football.
The renovated venue will feature a classic Victorian pub feel as well as offering a modern edge, similar to Ma Boyle’s and Nova Scotia. Details on the new look, drinks, and entertainment are set to be revealed soon.
Ma Pub Group director Iain Hoskins said: “Having started with my first wet-led pub 13 years ago, MA Egertons Stage Door, and since then opening food-led hospitality businesses, I feel like I’ve come full circle with Newington Temple”.
“Pubs are back in a massive way and Liverpool is leading the renaissance for not only all the new openings, but the diversity in the styles of pub-outlets - most of them independently owned and operated”.
“While the trading environment has been tough with huge on-going challenges, I’m proud that our existing sites continue to grow their sales and reputation amid these choppy times. Newington Temple is a great addition to our portfolio”
The Counting House to reopen as a pub and restaurant
The Counting House in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, is set to reopen as a pub and restaurant after being out of action for more than 12 years.
The Grade II-listed building, which dates back to 1609, has undergone refurbishment by its owner and will be leased to an experienced pub and restaurant operator. The reopening is scheduled for next month.
The venue was originally a merchant’s counting house, and boasts original features, including a ground floor of stonework with exposed beams, Georgian windows and Victorian fireplaces.
The property features lounge bars on both the ground and first floors, a restaurant area with space for around 60 diners and a roof terrace.
Substantial refurbishments, including lime rendering, plastering, and re-roofing, have been completed to ensure the building’s future. Stone from Pontefract Castle is also believed to have been used in its construction.
Barry Crux & Company agency director Andrew Spencer said: “We’re really pleased to have completed the letting of the Counting House, and to have done so to an experienced pub and restaurant operator who we know have fantastic plans for its future”.
“It is a building full of charm, character and history with Georgian windows and Victorian fireplaces, and now of course it has a positive future too”.
“A big part of its history was being a pub so it is great that it is being put back to that use, and we know that it will be done in a sensitive manner”.
Freight Island to arrive in Eldon Square and Newcastle city centre
Freight Island, which originated in Manchester, is set to launch at Eldon Square in Newcastle in autumn this year.
The new entertainment venue will span 60,000 square feet and reclaim the top floor of the former Debenhams unit and additional rooftop space.
This development is expected to significantly boost Newcastle’s regeneration efforts, and complement investments such as the Newcastle City Council £50m City Centre Transformation Programme.
Inspired by Coney Island and Tivoli Gardens, Freight Island will offer a mix of experiences, including family-friendly events, global street food, DJ sets, and live performances.
It will feature a service-led restaurant, global street food stalls, a food hall, the UK’s first wine tanks, an Aperitivo cocktail bar, and a diverse beer range.
With a commitment to sustainability, Freight Island plans to grow produce on-site and support local suppliers. A key feature will be the purpose-built Music Box for live music and various events.
Freight Island managing director and co founder Dan Morris said: “This venue has been designed with scale, prominence, and long-term investment in mind and we’re delighted to have worked with Pradera Lateral, XPE Group plc and Newcastle City Council to bring it to Newcastle”.
Pradera Lateral head of UK leisure and F&B Kitty Vaughan added: ”Freight Island is more than just an entertainment venue; it’s a transformative project that will enable us to accelerate the performance of Eldon Square whilst celebrating the incredible culture that Newcastle is renowned for”.
Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Jobs and Skills, Cllr Dan Greenhough said: “The launch of Freight Island at Eldon Square marks an important moment in the transformation of Newcastle city centre and is something that I’m sure our residents will be incredibly excited about”.
The Noel’s Arms set to reopen this summer
The Noel’s Arms Public House in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, is preparing to reopen this summer after undergoing extensive refurbishment.
The town centre pub, was originally established in the 1800s and closed permanently in 2022.
The 1860 Pub Co, consisting of former chef, Steve Durham and two local entrepreneurs, aims to restore both the interior and exterior’s of the site.
The interior redesign will provide modern comforts while preserving the pub’s heritage, aiming to offer a warm and relaxed atmosphere for locals and visitors.
Guests can also anticipate a selection of bar snacks, small and large plates showcasing dishes made with seasonal ingredients sourced from local growers, suppliers, and producers. The bar will also offer a range of real ales, beers, premium lagers, ciders, fine wines, champagnes, and craft spirits.
On behalf of The 1860 Pub Co, Durham said: “Our collective goal for the Noel’s Arms is to become a destination of choice for fantastic food and drink in the Heart of Rural England”.
Durham also noted: “We are committed to supporting our farmers and showcasing the best quality produce, locally sourced where possible”.
He added: “The Noel’s Arms has a significant history, dating back to the early 19th century, and we want to make sure we honour all that the pub has offered since it originally opened”.
Shoreditch pub revival: The Knave of Clubs reopens after 30 years
The Knave of Clubs, a historic pub originally opened in 1880 and located in Shoreditch is set to reopen on February 27 after being closed for over 30 years.
The reopening is a project fronted by High Note Hospitality, a group founded by James Dye and Benjy Leibowitz. The building, a Grade II listed four-story structure, is being restored to its origins as a thriving local pub.
The Knave of Clubs will offer a menu led by the Knave culinary director, Patrick Powell and head chef Atilla Gellen.
The pub aims to create a lively, informal atmosphere where guests can enjoy either pints and snacks or more relaxed meals. The food will be inspired by French markets and traditional Sunday lunches, offering a signature rotisserie chicken dish.
The bar will partner with Allsopp’s Brewery to revive their historic connection, serving Allsopp’s beers, including the relaunch of Double Diamond. The pub will offer a rotation of beers from independent London breweries, classic cocktails, and an additional curated wine list.
High Note Hospitality, co-owner James Dye said: “We are extremely excited to be restoring a beautiful building, with such a remarkable history, back to being a pub for the first time in over 30 years”.
Dye added, ”With so many pubs closing in London we felt it was incredibly important to step in and try to save this remarkable building”
The Railway set to reopen after £1m investment
The Railway pub, situated near Liverpool Street Station in London, is set to reopen following a £1m investment from Greene King.
The investment aims to transform both the exterior and interior of the historic pub, establishing it as a flagship site within the Greene King pubs brand.
The investment includes a complete interior and exterior redesign.
Accessibility has also been improved, with an accessible toilet added. The two ground floor bars have also been opened up to operate together.
The first floor bar, which is now named ‘The Office,’ will feature new TVs for live sports and two digital darts lanes. A new room called ‘The Waiting Room’ has also been introduced, equipped for meetings and also available for private hire.
The exterior has also been revamped with an improved outdoor space, new seating, and a new entrance to the upstairs bar. The pub’s history dates back to 1736.
Greene King pubs managing director Zoe Bowley said: “The Railway is an important part of our Greene King pubs brand and over the years has become one of the go-to sites in the local area for those travelling in and out of Liverpool St station.
“This major investment will help to reaffirm the pub’s position on Liverpool St, where it stands proudly at the forefront of city’s hustle and bustle, retaining nods to its rich history and transforming for the modern-day guest – whether they’re visiting for breakfast, business meetings, kerb-side drinks or to watch live sports."
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