Investment can take many forms, from restoring historic interiors and upgrading outdoor spaces to improving operational efficiency and broadening customer appeal.
But what does that look like in practice?
Following our previous article on the value of pub investment, we spoke to three Stonegate Pub Partners who have undertaken significant refurbishment projects. Here, they share where investment was focused, the challenges they faced and the impact it has had on their customers, communities and businesses.
Dovedale Towers, Liverpool
Stonegate investment: approx. £100,000
“Dovedale Towers is a large suburban pub in Liverpool, located on the famous Penny Lane. It’s a building with real character, sitting at the heart of a community made up of students, young families and long-standing local residents. It’s very much a community pub, with a large footprint and a substantial beer garden.
I took over the lease at the beginning of 2026 and reopened the pub in April after an extensive refurbishment. Stonegate’s contribution focused primarily on the beer garden, while my own investment centred on the main building.
The work in the beer garden focused on creating a much more attractive and usable space with new surfaces, lighting and pergolas. There’s covered seating and heating, which allow customers to enjoy it even when the weather turns.
“I’m passionate about authenticity, particularly with Victorian pubs”
Rob Gutmann, Dovedale Towers
My own investment focused on restoring and reimagining the building itself. I operate 22 pubs across Liverpool [as founder/director of 1936 Pub Company] and have strong views on what makes a great pub. I’m passionate about authenticity, particularly with Victorian pubs. I want people to walk through the door and feel like they’ve stepped back in time.
We re-rendered the exterior and installed new signage. We also refurbished internally, although not a complete rip-out because many historic features were worth preserving.
In my job, I spend a huge amount of time sourcing furniture, antiques and architectural salvage. Every picture on the wall has been chosen with purpose. For me, it’s not enough simply to renovate a building – I want to create an atmosphere that feels genuine and lived in.
One of the biggest investments at Dovedale Towers was in the furniture. I probably spent around £50,000 here. When people walk into a pub, they’re confronted by a sea of furniture, so getting that right has an enormous influence on how a space feels. Customers interact with furniture more than almost anything else.
We don’t operate a full kitchen but we do offer quality bar food including pies, cheeseboards, deli boards and toasties. I like pubs to be pubs. It’s probably a riskier approach commercially but people seem to appreciate that it’s different.
Throughout the renovation, my regional manager at Stonegate, Matt Croft, has been outstanding – he’s worked alongside me every step of the way. If there’s one piece of advice I’d give anyone considering a renovation project, it’s that you have to genuinely believe in what you’re creating. You can’t simply copy somebody else’s idea. The energy, commitment and personal conviction behind a project are what ultimately make it work."
Rob Gutmann, owner/operator
Devonshire Arms, Dore
Stonegate investment: £45,000
“I’ve been running pubs for nearly 18 years and when my local pub, the Devonshire Arms, came on the market I jumped at the chance. I grew up around the corner and have always loved this pub – it’s a great space in a beautiful building, very much a traditional community pub. It was tired and run down but the locals loved it.
We took the keys in February this year and immediately closed for eight weeks to refurbish. One of the biggest issues was the roof – leaks had caused significant damp throughout the building. On day one, I asked the builders to remove any plaster affected by damp. The next day, there was virtually no plaster left on the walls. It was a complete strip back to basics.
Stonegate handled the structural work while we took care of everything else. We reboarded and skimmed the walls, redecorated throughout, installed new lighting and replaced flooring. We sanded and revarnished the wooden floors and replaced all the carpets.
The bar itself is stunning. It’s the original bar and very traditional, so we wanted to preserve the character. We sanded and revarnished it and replaced some of the stained-glass panelling with more contemporary glass.
“Anything we can do to extend the life of these pubs is worth doing”
Tom South, Devonshire Arms
The toilets also needed attention. In the gents’, we installed a safety floor and replaced much of the hardware. The ladies’ needed even more work. The cubicles were too small so we extended them, installed new hardware and new cabinetry around the sinks.
As for the furniture, all the chairs were replaced, several new tables were added and all the fixed seating was reupholstered in green leather. Apart from some safety flooring that needed replacing, the kitchen itself was in relatively good condition. We’ve now introduced food, including Sunday roasts which have proved very popular.
The beer garden is still a work in progress. We’ve brought the grass back to life, replaced old vines with planters and installed festoon lighting. It’s now a welcoming walkway into the pub.
“We’re seeing former customers return and people in the village have been very vocal in their support. The community is backing us”
Tom South, Devonshire Arms
Customers have been incredibly complimentary about the changes. We’re seeing former customers return and people in the village have been very vocal in their support. The community is backing us. For a village pub, that’s the most important thing.
I’d encourage anyone with the opportunity to invest in their pub to do so. When you look at the rate pubs are closing, it’s heart-breaking. Anything we can do to extend the life of these pubs is worth doing.”
Tom South, publican
The King’s Arms, Keston
Stonegate investment: £60,000
“I originally worked in a wine bar and wanted to go out on my own with my business partner. I could immediately see the potential with The King’s Arms and I already had a connection with the area.
The grounds are huge and it felt like a place that could really bring people together. I also love character buildings and this is a listed pub dating back centuries with low ceilings and plenty of charm.
It had been closed for around 18 months and needed a lot of work. Because it’s listed, we couldn’t make major structural changes so we modernised and refreshed what was already here.
Stonegate was involved from the start and they’ve been brilliant with us. They made an initial investment in the property – improvements to the playground, fencing, signage, exterior rendering, heating and electrics – while we funded additional improvements ourselves.
“The aim was to retain the character of the building while making it feel cosy and inviting, especially during winter”
Mikki Arif, The King's Arms
We introduced dark browns and burnt orange tones to create a much warmer, more welcoming atmosphere. The aim was to retain the character of the building while making it feel cosy and inviting, especially during winter.
It’s very easy to get excited about décor and design but the operational side is absolutely critical. Once you’ve got that in place, everything else becomes much easier.
The garden was also a major project. It was more like a meadow when we arrived and needed levelling, mowing and significant preparation before it became the attractive space it is today. One of our biggest investments has been the covered terrace with a retractable roof so guests can use the space whatever the weather. It effectively doubles the amount of usable trading space. Customers love it and it has become one of the most popular areas of the pub.
“On opening day, we were so busy that we actually had to stop people coming in”
Mikki Arif, The King's Arms
The playground has also been a major investment and an important part of our family-friendly offer. Providing somewhere safe and enjoyable for children has made a real difference.
On opening day, we were so busy that we actually had to stop people coming in. There was huge anticipation within the local community and social media played a major role in communicating what we were doing.
Our aim is to be a genuine community pub that offers value, a warm welcome and something for everyone. We have a real mix of customers and it’s lovely to see children playing together outside while families, couples and local residents enjoy the pub.
Customers want a personal connection and I make a point of walking around the pub, speaking to guests and making sure people feel welcome. Hospitality is about relationships as much as food and drink.”
Mikki Arif, publican
Top image credit: Iain Watts
