The Rock House pub situated on the River Irwell in Eccles, near Manchester, has reopened following a £480k investment by independent pub operators, Punch, with new publicans Lee Godfrey and Ben Seed at the helm.
This well-established community pub has been fully refurbished enhancing the pub’s look and feel, bringing a more modern and cooler vibe. The investment included the removal of internal walls to create a more open space with a new, centralised bar which now provides a larger area for customers to eat, drink and enjoy the new look pub.
The pub has improved facilities with new lighting, seating and furnishings throughout. The exterior also boasts new signage and has benefitted from a full redecoration and an extended outside seating area to the front of the pub. This investment has created 20 new jobs.
Godfey has a wealth of experience in hospitality and a clear passion for pubs. He said, “It’s great to be here at the Rock House, the pub looks fantastic and I can’t wait to welcome all customers old and new into their new look pub. We have lots of exciting plans to really create a pub which sits at the very heart of the community it serves.”
The Rock House has launched with a new food menu which includes pub classics, small plates, bucket sharers and daily food offers. Cask and craft beers are now available on the bar alongside an extensive range of lager and spirits including 17 gins.
Steed added, “We have both Sky and BT Sports now to show all live sporting events across the 8 TVs we have in the pub, plus regular live entertainment and community events for all the family.”
Punch’s Managing Director, Andy Spencer said, “This is a significant investment by Punch in a well-established community pub and we are extremely pleased with the business we’ve helped created. Matching this fantastic pub with great people like Lee and Ben, who bring a wealth of experience and expertise will ensure the Rock House continues to operate at the very heart of its community.”
Punch owns and operates 1300 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales and is investing £32 million in its pub estate in the next year with the right Publicans running their pubs.
