£770,000 revamp to reopen West Hallam pub after three-year closure

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A £770,000 investment will start next week to reopen a prominent pub in the heart of West Hallam, ending concerns for its future since its closure in May 2023.

The overhaul of The Punchbowl – which dates back to 1754 – is being carried out by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and the pub’s new licensee, West Hallam born-and-bred Steve Cox.

The project will turn the boarded-up local into a great quality village pub boasting a spacious bar for drinks and socialising as well as a beautiful dining area housed in a new extension.

The builders break ground on 1st September and the pub will reopen by late-November, creating 30 new jobs.

The outside works will enhance the centre of West Hallam by completely renovating The Punchbowl, repainting the exterior and adding new lighting, signage and planting at the front. A porched entrance and canopied terrace will be built on the side of the pub for customers using the new dining area. The existing rear garden will have a makeover, too, with new furniture and festoon lighting, plus a covered space that can be enjoyed year-round.

The extensive refurbishment will transform the inside of the semi-derelict pub with a smart new décor, replacing the furniture, toilets and fittings and installing a brand-new kitchen and cellar.

The roomy bar will have a traditional look with two snugs, wood panelling and heritage colours. Pictures of The Punchbowl and West Hallam in bygone days will adorn the walls, and open fires and a log burner will add to the cosy feel. The new dining area will have a more contemporary design, incorporating booth seating, modern artwork and big glass windows overlooking the terrace.

On the drinks front, customers can look forward to perfect pints – thanks to a new, state-of-the-art dispense system – and a wide selection of drinks spanning cask ales, cocktails and carefully chosen wines. Barista-quality coffee will be served all day. The accompanying food will be freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. The menu will change with the seasons and include pub classics and specials, covering all occasions from casual light lunches to celebration dinners. Sunday roasts will be a specialty.

Steve said: “I’ve known The Punchbowl all my life. It has lots of happy memories and connections for many residents and is right in the centre of the village, where important traditions from the Well Dressing to the Christmas light switch-on take place. It’s been sad to see it closed for so long; lots of people have missed it. My aim is to bring it back to its glory days when it was packed out and a hub of West Hallam.

“It will have the best of both worlds – an old school bar where people can gather and a new dining area offering great food. By the time The Punchbowl opens, the festive season will be nearly upon us. From decorations to Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, we’ll be going all out to celebrate The Punchbowl’s first Christmas in four years.”

Adella Binney, Star Pubs’ area manager for West Hallam, added: “Our ambition from the outset has to been to reopen The Punchbowl, and we’re delighted to be teaming up with Steve to bring this much-loved pub back to life. As a West Hallam resident and experienced publican, Steve understands just what the village needs from The Punchbowl. It will be a fantastic local and provide a superb dining spot for residents on their doorsteps and for those from further afield.

“The £770,000 spend speaks to the scale of the works that we’re undertaking. The Punchbowl will look stunning. We’re pulling out all the stops to reopen as soon as possible.”