A multitude of investments have been launched across Cheshire in recent months by leading UK pub company, Punch Taverns.

The refurbishment projects, totalling more than £2.5 million, are part of a nationwide programme which has seen over £50 million invested in the Punch estate over the past year.

Andy Hodgson, regional operations director at Punch, said: “Cheshire features highly in our investment plans and the variety of work being carried out highlights the depth and diversity of our estate.

“We’ve focused on maintaining the heritage of the Great British pub but also moving our outlets forward by providing communities with the type of outlets which best fit the local demographics.”

The Queens in Frodsham used to be a standard community pub before it had £575,000 pumped into it to launch a new a food offering, create a courtyard beer garden and convert the external stables into cellar space.

During work on the Grade II listed building, the oldest in the village, a fireplace was discovered in a Tudor room dating back to 1500. The wooden beams have been exposed and the room is now a functioning lounge.

A big refurbishment has taken place at the Oak in Kelsall, a former coaching house dating back to the eighteenth century.

Here £600,000 was spent on creating an open plan bar and restaurant, with an enclosed atrium courtyard for year round al fresco dining. The new lessees are former banqueting managers from the Grosvenor Hotel and brought with them the head chef of a renowned local eatery.

The Stamford Bridge has also increased its revenue by 30 per cent with its £125,000 investment by improving the food offering, creating a decked patio and restoring the library area.

The Nakatcha in Nantwich, previously known as the Three Pigeons, is mid way through a £1,115,000 investment. It aims to turn the outlet into the premiere drinking and dining venue in this affluent corner of Cheshire.

Formerly a dilapidated wet-led boozer with an extensive area of derelict land, the property is being transformed into an upmarket bar with first floor restaurant, garden conservatory and nightclub, with a planned opening in December.

Another project currently underway is the Bear and Ragged Staff in Tatenhall which is about to receive £135,000 to convert it into a Thai restaurant.

Andy said: “We’re dedicated to improving the quality of our estate and providing licensees, current and new, with the type of outlets which can help their businesses develop and grow.”

Punch Taverns is one of the UK’s leading pub operators with more than 8,200 outlets and 524 in Cheshire, North Wales and Shropshire.

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