Historic pub reopens after community battle to save it
After a two-year long community campaign to save, purchase and restore the historic village pub, the Chequers in Roxwell, Essex has reopened its doors.
In 2024, the Roxwell Chequers Community Benefit Society (RCCBS) raised more than £600,000 through grants, community fundraising and a successful community share offer to purchase the Grade II listed pub, which has since undergone a major refurbishment.
Now, the pub will reopen on Saturday 28 June with new tenants Sam Davies and David Wheeler, who previously ran the Foresters Arms pub in Loughton, at the helm.
The duo said: “First and foremost, we’d like to thank the entire community for creating something truly special.
“It’s an absolute privilege to have been chosen as the new tenants of the Chequers. We’re thrilled to be bringing a great selection of beers, wines, and much more to the Chequers.
“In time, we’ll also be serving delicious home-cooked food, including our signature Sunday roast, which we can’t wait for you to try. We’re really looking forward to getting to know everyone, building lasting relationships, and creating new traditions the whole village can enjoy and be proud of.”
The pub features a characterful bar area, an open fireplace, multiple cosy snugs, a beautiful garden, plus a newly fitted commercial kitchen. The tenant’s flat above the pub has also been fully refurbished as part of the project.
RCCBS management committee member Emma Drakeford added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Sam and David to the Chequers and couldn’t imagine a better pair to take the reins at this exciting new chapter.
“Their passion for traditional hospitality and genuine enthusiasm for community pubs is exactly what this village needs.
“After everything the community has achieved to get us here — from forming RCCBS, to raising the funds, to restoring the building — we can’t wait to see the Chequers thriving once again.”
Heartwood opens sixth pub with rooms
Heartwood Collection has officially opened the doors to its sixth pub with rooms, the Ragged Robin in Godalming, Surrey, as part of its plans to grow its offering to include more than 400 rooms by 2027.
The award-winning operator invested a six-figure sum into refreshing the pub, which is located on the outskirts of the historic market town and backs on to the River Wey.
Featuring cosy nooks and fireplaces, the pub boasts a carefully curated drinks lists including local beers from Surrey Hills and Hogsback breweries alongside a seasonally changing food menu. The dining room has also been extended, offering 213 internal seats.
The pub also has 19 boutique bedrooms that have been extensively refurbished, ranging from cosy ‘snugs’ to ‘really fancy’ or family rooms, some of which are dog-friendly and feature a dog shower amongst other amenities.
Outside, the large garden has been landscaped with a new terrace and pergolas. It has space for a further 124 covers and is served by its own dedicated bar.
Formerly known as the Manor Inn, trading under the Beefeater and Premier Inn brands, the pub has been renamed the Ragged Robin as a nod to the varied flora and fauna that can be found in the meadows surrounding the venue.
Heartwood Collection CEO Richard Ferrier said: “We are delighted to be opening the Ragged Robin and to have brought this beautiful building back to life.
“We have been huge admirers of Godalming for many years and to have this beautiful ‘pub with rooms’ now open is incredibly satisfying.”
Admiral pumps £123,000 into village pub
The Harp in Little Neston, Cheshire, is set to relaunch after a £123,000 cash injection from Admiral Taverns.
A friendly community pub, the Harp will welcome customers back through the doors on Friday 20 June following the refurbishment.
Inside, the Harp boasts a new look and fresh decor giving a warmer, more welcoming feel, while old photos have been restored and reframed to honour the pub’s history.
Externally, the pub’s open plan garden has been revamped with new fences, flowers and signage.
Licensee Julie Woolley will run the pub alongside her partner Fran McCarthy, after her parents managed it more than 20 years ago.
She said: “I’m extremely proud to be running the Harp – a pub where I have so many amazing childhood memories. Several of the customers that have been visiting from years ago are still the same today and it has been brilliant meeting everyone over the past couple of months.
“The Harp is positioned in a stunning area with picturesque views and I’m excited to welcome everyone from all walks of life and can’t wait to see what the future will bring to the pub.”
To celebrate the relaunch, the Harp will host a Family Friendly afternoon with a range of games on Friday, followed by a Summer Solstice event on Saturday 21 June, raising money for Maggie’s - a charity that provides free expert care and support in centres across the UK and online.
Upon relaunching, Woolley will run a schedule of weekly entertainment including quiz nights every Monday.
The pub hosts a traditional food offering, including steak and Guinness pie, fish and chips, beef lasagne and a Harp signature burger, paired with a range of drinks to suit all preferences, including Guinness, San Miguel and Madrí, as well as non-alcoholic options.
Admiral business development manager Ashleigh Kirk added: “I would like to take the time to thank Julie on her commitment, effort and contributions to the Harp.
“Her passion and dedication are truly unmatched and the pub looks incredible! On behalf of myself and everyone else at Admiral Taverns, I wish Julie and her team every success for the future.”
M&B reopens ‘iconic’ London pub
Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has announced the reopening of an “iconic London pub” following an extensive three-week refurbishment.
The Angel, situated on the capital’s City Road and near Old Street station, has been refreshed while preserving its traditional charm. Five new jobs have been created following the renovation.
A heated awning has been introduced in the outdoor area, enabling it to be used year-round, while inside the venues boasts a newly decorated bar area, with additional seats and an upgraded air conditioning system, alongside two new large screens upstairs for private hire.
Customers can choose from pub classics including traditional fish and chips and steaks along with lots of small plates and sharing options too.
During the week there is also the chance to sample the lunch time sandwich meal deal and on a Sunday guests can treat themselves to a roast.
Along with the new food menu, guests will also be greeted with an extensive drinks’ menu, featuring a wide selection of craft beers, ciders and cocktails.
General manager Jaan Mottus said: “The team and I are very excited to welcome guests, old and new, to enjoy the newly refurbished pub.”
Joules confirms opening date for city pub
Market Drayton-based pub operator and brewer Joules has confirmed the Waterside Tap in Birmingham will welcome customers back through the door on Friday 20 June.
Joules purchased the from Robert Beacham and John Whitehead last month. It has previously been leased to Bistro Pierre.
The purchase marked the third pub in the city for the operator following the acquisitions of the Red Lion in the Jewellery Quarter in early 2024, and later the New Inn in Harborne in 2024.
The company added it wanted take some time to get to know the building, the area and the people. Read more here.
Belle Pubs & Hotels expands site as part of £1m development
Belle Pubs & Hotels, the five strong London-based operator, has opened a new garden development as part of its £1m investment in its Hammersmith Belle.
The pub opened an 8,000sq ft garden catering for up to 300 people, complete with hireable beach huts, a kids’ play area and castle and an all-weather outdoor sports pergola with TVs showing live sport. Read more here.
Hall & Woodhouse opens first experiential garden
Hall & Woodhouse will open the doors once more at the Quay, Poole, Dorset, with a new interactive games space.
The family brewer and pub operator purchased the Grade II-listed pub in March 2025 before closing it two months later to undergo a renovation.
Located on Poole Quay’s waterfront, the pub has undergone a transformation to create “a lighter, more contemporary feel without losing the charm of the historic building”, but the rear room is now home to shuffleboard, digital darts and table football – with the experiential side being a first for Hall & Woodhouse.
Hall & Woodhouse property director Mark James said: “We’re committed to continually enhancing our offering and know that multi-purpose spaces where friends can dine, drink and play are proving incredibly popular across the country.” Read more here.
Urban Pub & Bars reveales new look for city venue
Urban Pubs & Bars revealed a new look for the Sun of Camberwell in south London on Friday 6 June following a £1m refurbishment.
The London-based pub and dining group had shut the venue for six weeks while work took place.
Located on Coldharbour Lane, the site has been revived with key upgrades, including a revamped kitchen, newly landscaped front and rear outdoor areas, and refreshed interiors. Read more here.
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