Little Door & Co to open biggest site in Shoreditch
Little Door & Co is set to open The Little Neon Door this summer, marking the group’s biggest site to date and its first venue in east London.
Located in Old Street, the two-floor concept will continue the operator’s house party-inspired format, with themed rooms, DJ-led kitchen discos, karaoke spaces, games areas and late-night trading until 3am at weekends.
The Shoreditch venue follows the group’s existing London sites including The Little Yellow Door, The Little Blue Door, The Little Orange Door, The Little Scarlet Door and The Little Violet Door.
The design draws on Shoreditch loft living and industrial interiors, with the venue split across five themed rooms including a games room, dressing room, kitchen disco area and karaoke bathroom.
Alongside cocktails served in novelty household-style objects, the food offer will include pizzas, bar snacks and brunch.
Sun Inn in Chobham reopens after refurbishment
Heartwood Collection has reopened The Sun Inn following a refurbishment carried out as part of its wider £1.5m investment programme across five pubs.
The Chobham site reopened on 29 April after a temporary closure, unveiling refreshed interiors, upgraded signage and a revamped outdoor terrace with new furniture and planting.
The pub is now led by general manager Luke Parry and will continue to operate with Heartwood’s seasonal food offer, alongside expanded programming such as quiz nights, steak evenings and seasonal events designed to increase midweek and repeat visits.
Parry said the team was looking forward to welcoming both returning and new customers back to the pub following the refurbishment.
Norfolk pub adds family play area with Pub is The Hub support
King of Hearts has introduced a new children’s play area and family seating space as part of efforts to strengthen its role as a rural community hub.
Publicans Dan and Claire Smethurst took over the village pub in September 2025 and said the latest addition was designed to create more opportunities for local families to connect and socialise.
The enclosed outdoor area includes a fenced play space alongside dedicated seating for parents and guardians.
The project was supported through a grant from Pub is The Hub, backed by the Department for Business and Trade’s Hospitality Support Fund.
Dan Smethurst said rural communities often lacked spaces where young families could spend time together, adding that the play area would help tackle isolation locally.
Pub is The Hub regional adviser Terry Stork said the investment would help reinforce the pub’s position at the centre of village life.
Hydes appoints GM for refurbished site
Hydes Brewery has appointed Dale Tozer as general manager of The Boathouse ahead of the pub’s reopening following a £1.5m refurbishment.
The Dee Estuary venue, which closed in March, is expected to reopen in June after a three-month redevelopment that includes a new first-floor terrace overlooking the RSPB nature reserve, a refurbished interior and an upgraded 50-cover function room.
Tozer brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience to the role, including previous management positions with Mitchells & Butlers at pubs including the Anchor Inn in Irby, the Devon Doorway in Heswall and the Cheshire Cat in Christleton.
He said the investment would take the “jewel of the Wirral” to “an entirely new level”, highlighting the rooftop terrace and focus on freshly prepared food as key parts of the relaunch.
Hydes managing director Adam Mayers said Tozer’s background in premium dining pubs and strong local knowledge made him “the perfect fit” for the landmark site.
The refurbishment forms part of a wider multi-million-pound investment programme across the Hydes estate and is expected to create 25 jobs.
Daventry pub relaunches after £110k refurb
Admiral Taverns has reopened Pike & Eel following a £110k refurbishment carried out in partnership with operators Mark Ford and Lynn Dorney.
The investment has seen a full internal overhaul, including a new bar, updated flooring and a revamped games area featuring two pool tables and a dartboard.
Externally, the pub has been refreshed with new signage, lighting and a new patio seating area for up to 30 customers.
Ford and Dorney, who took over the pub in March, bring more than 30 years of hospitality experience and said the relaunch marked an important moment for the local community pub.
Lynn Dorney said: “This is a true local, and our regulars are like family, so we are thrilled to be offering them a new and improved pub.”
The venue will continue to host pool and darts nights, live music and karaoke, alongside fundraising initiatives supporting Friends of Danetre Hospital.
Admiral pumps £177k into village pub
Admiral Taverns has also reopened the Red Lion following a £177k refurbishment carried out in partnership with licensee Sophie Crewe.
The investment has delivered a full renovation of the pub’s bar and lounge areas, including new fitted seating, a log-burning stove, interactive darts and four new screens, while the outside has been refreshed with new signage and repainting.
Crewe, who previously worked at the pub for eight years before taking over as licensee last year, said the reopening marked an important moment for the village local.
She said: “The Red Lion really is the heart of Marford, and I can’t wait to welcome back our regulars along with some new faces too.”
The relaunched venue will host quizzes, pool and darts nights, alongside fundraising events supporting Wrexham Prostate Cancer Support.
The drinks range includes cask ales and premium draught products including Guinness, Cruzcampo, Madri and Wrexham Lager.
Westcroft in Droitwich reopens after £273k refurbishment
Another investment from Admiral Taverns, the group has reopened The Westcroft following a £273k refurbishment under its Proper Pubs division.
The investment includes new flooring, fixtures and fittings, alongside an upgraded main bar, snug area and five new screens. The outside has been refreshed with new signage, lighting and a refurbished beer garden seating up to 50 customers.
Operator Scott Flear said the reopening had already received strong feedback from the local community, adding that the team was looking forward to building on the pub’s relaunch.
The venue will host regular live music and karaoke nights, while operators Scott and Dan also plan to support local foodbanks and fundraise for a community defibrillator installation.
Proper Pubs operations director Nikki Greenhalgh said the refurbishment reflected the operator’s focus on creating “vibrant social hubs” within local communities.
