Full steam ahead on makeover of former Cleethorpes hotel by its new Blackpool-based owners

 

Refurbished pub will offer 'affordable treat for everyone' say new owners

WORK is underway on refurbishing the former O'Neill's pub in Cleethorpes which has stood empty in recent times.

The owners are now Blackpool-based Amber Taverns who, last October,  are understood to have paid North East Lincolnshire Council £430,000 for a 99-year lease on the Cleethorpes property.

The firm, whose other ventures include the Lumley Hotel in Skegness, will also pay  an annual ground rent of £2,500.

Under the terms of the deal, the car park will be retained by the council, therefore allowing the opportunity to relieve car parking pressures around Cleethorpes.

The authority expects to see an additional income of between £30k and £40k for car parking.

The council is believed to have bought the property, which has heritage pedigree, in order to demolish it and open up view of the estuary.

But it had a change of heart - hence the sale.

It is unlikely the re-opened pub, which to be renamed The Old Vic, will be conspicuously family-friendly.

There are no plans to sell food, and the intention is to show televised sports from Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Racing Tv and Dazn.

Gary Roberts, operations director at Amber Taverns, says: "We believe that the great British pub should always offer great value for money and be an affordable treat for everyone.”

"We want to  create a modern pub that is attractive and welcoming to all customers, driving day and evening footfall and helping to regenerate the area.

"We plan to name the pub The Old Vic in acknowledgement to a former name of the premises.

"Our design will be modern but commemorate the history of the town with various old pictures and internal detailing. 

"We have successfully achieved this in many other towns and cities."

The comprehensive refurbishment involves internal and external repairs and redecoration, a new bar and back bar, new toilets, new flooring, new electric and heating systems throughout, and the creation of a three-bed operator’s flat on the first floor.

An external area at the rear, next to the car park, will be home to a beer 'garden'.

It is not known if local firms are being engaged or if Amber is using its own team of contractors. No target date has yet been set for the re-opening.

Following the sale, Cllr Stephen Harness, NELC's portfolio holder for finance, resources and assets,  struck an upbeat note.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring another business into the centre of Cleethorpes and boost the local economy," he insists. 

"I wish Amber Taverns all the best."