West Midlands multiple operator, Bolton Inns has taken on the Hare & Hounds on Hagley Road in Halesowen, Dudley, its first pub with Star Pubs & Bars.
The pub is currently closed for five weeks for a £270k refurbishment which will see the site transformed into a top quality, family-friendly community local offering all-day coffee, food and wi-fi for the first time.
Funds are being spent bringing the pub up-to-date and creating a brighter, more stylish interior with colourful leather banquette seating, panelling, feature wallpaper and a feature fireplace. The redesign will create seating for 91 people inside and 88 outside.
The exterior is being updated with a new entrance lobby, new signage and lighting. The front will also be landscaped to enhance the pub’s overall appearance.
A new commercial kitchen is being installed as part of the refurbishment enabling the Hare & Hounds to serve traditional pub food, including favourites like burgers, fish & chips, steaks and Sunday roasts.
The drinks range is being widened to include value and premium beers, ciders, and spirits. An extended range of wines, prosecco and champagne will also be available. Cask ales will become a key feature of the pub as Bolton Inns and the pub manager, Dean Price, want to establish a reputation for cask ale and to offer a choice of local ales and bitters.
The Hare & Hounds will show Sky & BT sports, offer pool, darts and regular quizzes and on weekends it will host live bands, singers and DJ nights in the bar area.
Bolton Inns Managing Director, Edward Bolton said, “We don’t take on any pubs. We’re only interested in sites where we can add value and in working with brands, like Heineken, and pub companies, like Star Pubs & Bars, that will provide meaningful support.
'We recognised the potential of The Hare & Hounds immediately. It’s in a great location overlooking Hagley Road, near a school and where there are customers with disposable incomes.
'With investment we knew that the Hare & Hounds could give locals what they’ve been crying out for… a great family-friendly community pub on their doorstep, offering the type of food, drinks and entertainment that previously they have had to travel for.'
Bolton finished, “Looking forward, our strategy is to grow our estate to 12-15 pubs in the next few years.”
Star Pubs & Bars Regional Operations Director, Caren Geering said, “We’re delighted that Edward and the team at Bolton Inns have taken on the Hare & Hounds as they have extensive experience of turning around community locals, share our vision and know the area well.
“The introduction of food and coffee are increasingly important to a pub like the Hare & Hounds, as they give people more reasons to visit. It is investments like this that allow pubs to evolve and stay relevant to their communities, ensuring their ongoing sustainability.”
