Prominent Bedworth pub closes for six-figure makeover
A well-known Bedworth pub has closed in advance of a £325,000 refurbishment that will turn it into a top-notch family and dog-friendly local specialising in sports and entertainment.
The investment in The Plough Inn on Smorrall Lane is being carried out by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and will introduce food and add all-new games and lounge-dining areas to the much-loved pub. The changes will create six jobs and see Solihull born-and-bred Andrew Kennedy take the reins as the operator running The Plough on behalf of Star Pubs.
Work will start on the 26th January and The Plough is expected to reopen by mid-March.
The external overhaul will paint the tired pub in a classic cream and dark navy and install new signage and lighting, enhancing the vicinity. The large south-facing rear garden will have a refresh, too, with new furniture, parasols and planting.
A smart new décor will transform the inside of The Plough, upgrading it throughout and making it more warm and welcoming. The extensive redecoration will replace the furniture, soft furnishings, carpets and lighting and put in booth seating. Decorative floor tiles, wallpaper and artwork will complete the redesign.
The layout will cater for all, boasting two bar areas, a comfortable lounge / dining space – converted out of a disused conservatory – and a revamped sports zone complete with a new pool table, halo-lit darts with electronic scorning and a high-spec AV system showing Sky and TNT Sports.
A kitchen refit will allow The Plough to bring back food. The varied menu will span burgers, pizza and curries as well as pub classics like fish & chips and pies. Prices will be affordable and there will be options for kids. Customers’ four-legged friends have not been forgotten, either and will receive bowls of water and dog treats on the house.
To enable The Plough Inn to serve as a hub of the community, it will host a wide variety of activities, ranging from a quiz and bingo to open mic nights, DJs and live entertainment. The pub will offer room for local groups and good causes to hold meetings and fundraisers, and residents will be able to book the lounge for private functions and celebrations. Sports enthusiasts will be well looked after, too, with pool and darts teams and screenings of all the major tournaments.
A former housing association manager, Andrew says he has always dreamed of running a pub: “When I spotted The Plough was available with a massive investment attached, I felt it was now or never. It’s got huge potential – the refurbishment is just what’s needed.
"Having worked for a housing association, I know how important it is to have a safe, friendly space where people can get together. I love pubs – when they’re done right, there’s nothing like them; they’re great places to be. I’m looking forward to switching to the other side of the bar and can’t wait to welcome people back to their new-look local.”
Adds Star Pubs area manager for Bedworth Pete Reynolds: “We’re delighted to be investing in The Plough and giving it the new lease of life it needs to thrive for the long term. It’s the only pub in the neighbourhood, and with all the housing going up nearby, there will be further demand for a fantastic local on the residents’ doorsteps.
"Our aim is to return The Plough to its glory days as a focal point of life for the whole community and provide lots of reasons to visit.”