First look inside refurbished North Derbyshire pub as it gears up to reopen revamped beer garden
Helen Marshall manager of The Kelstedge, Matlock Road, Kelstedge, said they had made “the best of a bad situation” to transform the pub after it was forced to close by national coronavirus restrictions – and everyone involved is excited to reopen.
The 28-year-old, who has worked at the pub for two years, said: “During the first lockdown, we ripped everything out of the pub, the flooring, the bar etc.
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Hide Ad“We have a small family room, we ripped the ceiling down in there to expose some lovely old beams.
“Outside, we have had some new seating areas and covers over new benches.
“We have made the best of a bad situation.”
Miss Marshall, who helps run the pub alongside landlords Simon and Sylvia Oxspring and head chef Sophie Barrett, said the work needed doing.
She said the Oxsprings had owned the pub for 20 years, but had various tenants in charge over the years, each who put their own, different stamp on the place, before the landlords took control themselves two years ago.
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Hide Ad“It was time to redevelop it,” she said. “However, we wouldn’t have been able to do it if we were open – we’re open seven days a week, lunchtime and evening.”
The pub has been offering takeaways at weekends over lockdown, but Miss Marshall admitted it had been a tough year.
"I don’t think you’ll find a pub or restaurant that hasn’t found it tough.
"The support we have had from the community is fantastic, they feel for us.
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Hide AdNow they are excited to open the outside area on Monday, April 12, as lockdown restrictions ease, before opening the inside area as soon as they are allowed.
Miss Marshall said: “We’re quite a close-knit community, so we get a lot of regulars walking past, wanting to stop and ask whats going on. They can’t wait to come back.
“We can’t wait to reopen.”