News: Work underway on Rotherham pub revamp

Star Pubs & Bars are making a £1.26m investment in South Yorkshire community pubs to transform them into traditional locals - including one in Rotherham.

The Heineken-owned pubco has recently been involved with revamps at The Parish Oven in Thorpe Salvin and The Masons Arms in Thorpe Hesley, and now work is well underway at The Lord Reresby in Thrybergh.

As many as 25 new jobs are expected to be created by the new investment, and the pubs to be transformed also include The White Hart and The New Inn in Sheffield.

Plans were submitted back in 2015 for changes at the Thrybergh pub so that it could accommodate 50/60 covers.

All of the pubs will receive complete refurbishments to transform their décor and make them contemporary and comfortable. Kitchen refits and the creation of dining areas will enable them to introduce food whilst barista quality coffee machines will be added.

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Cellars at the pubs will also be upgraded with SmartDispense technology to ensure consistently good draught beer and cider, and new screens installed at The Lord Reresby to show Sky and BT sports.

The exterior of the Vale Road venue is also getting a new look and landscaping, outside space and a play area all part of the revamp.

Grant Morgan-Tolworthy, regional operations director for South Yorkshire at Star Pubs & Bars, said: "To thrive community locals must keep pace with customers' changing needs and expectations. Sheffield's vibrant city-centre pub and bar scene is testimony to the benefit of investment. The expenditure will bring them up to date and broaden their appeal so that they're sustainable for the long term."

Recruitment is underway for both part time and full time jobs at the Rotherham pub.

The Reresby family originated in Derbyshire but they acquired the estate at Thrybergh, which is now Rotherham Golf Club, under Henry III. In 1316, Sir Adam Reresby became Lord of Thrybergh.

The Lord Reresby Facebook page
Star Pubs website

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News: Rotherham village's only pub gets new lease of life

Work is well underway on a £470,000 refurbishment of The Parish Oven in Thorpe Salvin by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and new licensee Gary Hunt.

The picturesque village's only pub has been closed for six months and the investment is expected to transform the tired local. Work is expected to take eight weeks, with The Parish Oven scheduled to reopen in mid September, creating 35 new jobs.

The news follows on from Hunt and Star Pubs re-opening the The Masons Arms in Thorpe Hesley, following a £430,000 revamp.

Gary Hunt, chief executive of Fine and Country Inns (pictured), said: "Thorpe Salvin is a such beautiful village, it has been a real shame to have a closed pub at its centre. I've had my eye on the Parish Oven for some time and am delighted to be taking it over. I want to make it an asset to the community and a pub they can feel proud of again."

Exterior work will focus on making the Seventies pub an attractive feature of the village and will include cladding and re-decorating, enlarging windows and adding new signage, lighting and planting. The currently overgrown garden will be re-landscaped and an alfresco eating and drinking area – with seating for 100 as well as heating and lights – put in.

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The pub's interior is receiving a complete refurbishment in a classic but modern style. Research has been carried out on Thorpe Salvin's history back to the 1700s and plans are to have pictures from the past on display. The designs include a dedicated bar – for those just wanting a drink – as well as two dining areas and an enlarged open-plan kitchen to enable the pub to serve an extensive, freshly prepared menu of popular pub classics and gourmet dishes. Barista-quality coffee and tea will be available all day.

Gary is also investing in the cellar, installing state-of-the-art dispense equipment. Cask ales will have a prominent place on the bar alongside wines and cocktails.

Grant Morgan-Tolworthy, operations director for South Yorkshire at Star Pubs & Bars, said: "Heineken is committed to investing in pubs in order that they can thrive at the heart of their communities for the long term. We acquired The Parish Oven in March and have been working with the local council to reopen it as quickly as possible. Gary knows the area well and is a superb licensee; we feel very fortunate that he is taking over The Parish Oven."

Fine & Country Inns website
Star Pubs & Bars website

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News: Rotherham pub reopens after refurb

An historic Rotherham pub, The Masons Arms in Thorpe Hesley, has reopened following a £430,000 revamp by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and Barnsley entrepreneur Gary Hunt.

Having been closed for 18 months, the outside of pub has been carefully renovated with new signage and lighting. The tired and dated interior has been restored and will specialise in locally sourced, freshly prepared food. An outdoor seating area has been created complete with beach huts equipped with heating, lighting and phone chargers.

Gary Hunt, chief executive of Fine and Country Inns (pictured), said: "The Masons Arms used to be my mum's and dad's local years ago and I've known of it most of my life. It's a lovely old building, it was so sad to see it closed, especially as it has such a central position in the village.

"Residents have been crying out for a good place to eat and there has been a lot of interest in the pub's future. I wanted to bring it back to life and make it a place they could enjoy once again."

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Original features of the building, which dates back to 1878, have been revealed including old brickwork, a fireplace and a fabulous bay window.

A complete cellar revamp has taken place and state of the art dispense equipment has been installed to ensure all drinks are served with consistency. Cask and craft ales are now a specialty, and the pub is seeking Cask Marque accreditation. World wines and cocktails are another new addition.

25 jobs have been created. Scott Kennedy from Rotherham is the pub's manager with James Sephton taking the head chef role in the enlarged and refitted kitchen.

Grant Morgan-Tolworthy, regional operations director for South Yorkshire at Star Pubs & Bars, said: "Heineken is a passionate supporter of the great British pub, and we're delighted to have worked with Gary to reopen The Masons Arms and revive its fortunes. Thanks to his commitment, the community now has a fantastic pub."

Edinburgh based Star Pubs & Bars is the pub business of Heineken UK and is investing £44m during 2018. Operating 2,900 pubs, it took on 1,900 pubs from Punch last year following a back to back deal with Patron Capital.

Mason Arms website

Images: Mason Arms

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