A Wetherspoon pub named after one of Lancaster's most famous sons has reopened following a £2.4m revamp.
The Sir Richard Owen on Spring Garden Street reopened last Tuesday after being shut for nine weeks for an extensive refurbishment.
The pub, which first opened as a JD Wetherspoon in October 2001, has been upgraded and extended, with a large new beer garden set to open on September 29.
The customer area within the pub has been increased, with a new side extension into the original garden space, increasing the seating capacity from 212 to 252.
An additional 20 full and part-time jobs have also been created.
Councillor Margaret Pattison, mayor of Lancaster, cut the ribbon to officially reopen the pub.
The pub interior has also been newly redecorated throughout, with new carpet, new booth seating, a new fireplace, new roof lights and rear window installation and lobby.
A new larger opening, from the lower level, giving access into the new beer garden, has also been added.
The bar area has been refurbished with a new bar added and new drinks dispense equipment and glass racks installed.
New open food serveries have been added to the ground and second floors.
Both the male toilets and female toilets have undergone repairs and refurbishment. New DDA-compliant toilet facilities have also been added.
The new, larger beer garden, opening on September 29, has been built on the site of the old Hustle night club. The outside space has been expanded to 2,550 sq ft and will accommodate 152 covers.
Sir Richard Owen pub will be open from 8am until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and 8am until 1am Friday and Saturday. Food will be served throughout the day, from opening until 11pm every day.
The pub will be open for family dining, with children, accompanied by an adult, welcome in the pub until 9pm, throughout the week.
“The £2.4m investment highlights Wetherspoon’s commitment to the pub and its staff and customers, as well as to Lancaster itself," said Tom Rossall, pub manager.
“We’re delighted that we have also been able to create 20 new jobs for local people.
“The team are looking forward to welcoming customers back into Sir Richard Owen and we’re confident that they will be impressed by the new-look pub as well as the new larger beer garden, with the beer garden opening at the end of the month.”
The pub is named after Lancaster anatomist Sir Richard Owen, famed for coining the term 'dinosaur'.
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