By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
People have their last chance to enjoy a meal or a pint in The Hesketh Arms pub in Churchtown in Southport this weekend, before it closes for an exciting £600,000 makeover.
People are welcome to call in this Saturday and Sunday (6th and 7th July) before the work begins to transform the historic venue, at the heart of Churchtown Village.
Bookings for meals are open until 3.30pm this Sunday.
Once the pub closes its doors, a team of builders and interior decorators will move in, creating a stunning new look ready for when The Hesketh Arms reopens its doors on Sunday ,4th August 2024.
The Hesketh Arms has been serving local families since 1704.
It was originally built as four fisherman’s cottages and was previously known as ‘The Black Bull’, operated in its early years by WD ‘Duke’ Sutton, the founder of Southport.
The pub provides employment for 25 local people and plays an active part in the local community.
Changes will include a beautiful outdoor area, with festoon lighting and planters; a makeover of the gents’ and ladies’ toilets; a reconfiguration of the bar to create a new cocktail station; plus brand new seating in the dining room and pub snug.
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Hesketh Arms landlord Dave Langshaw said: “We are looking forward to welcoming customers this weekend ahead of our big refurbishment!
“We will be screening the England v Switzerland Euro 2024 Quarter Final this Saturday. It would be nice to go out with an England win!
“If you’re looking for a place to watch the game, reserve your spot in our bar area today.
“We’ll be serving our 3 for £10 bar snacks menu, which is the perfect combo whilst cheering on another hopeful win for England.
“Once we close the doors on Sunday evening, we’ll be busy clearing the place and getting everything ready to hand over to the builders.
“I am handing over to the Project Team at 7am on Monday morning.
“Then it’s all go!
“Our customers are really excited about all the changes coming in. There is a real buzz about this refurbishment.
“This is a massive investment that Vintage Inns are making in improving The Hesketh Arms.
“People have already started booking in for when we open! They can’t wait to see what it’s like.
“We have 70 customers already booked in for our reopening day.
“It is going to have such a positive impact on Churchtown Village.
“The Hesketh Arms is in such a prominent position in the Village. When the work is complete it is going to lift the whole area.”
As well as the changes to the building, diners can also look forward to some changes.
Dave said: “We are improving as many aspects as we can. We have just invested a significant sum in buying new plates, knives and forks.
“There are a few new things coming to our menu which people can look forward to which we are sure everyone will enjoy.
“The amount of work going into this project is huge!
“These are exciting times for The Hesketh Arms with a number of improvements in the pipeline.
“We are really keen to protect and to improve this landmark building and to restore some of its historic features.
“Work will be done to restore the old Hesketh Arms wrought iron sign and provide new signage in the car park.
“The outside area will look fantastic when we introduce the new planters, new garden furniture, and new festoon lighting.
“All the changes being made will be very much in keeping with the character and heritage of The Hesketh Arms and with Churchtown Village.
“The Hesketh Arms has a fabulous reputation already but Vintage Inns is determined to make a substantial investment to make it even better.”
Dave is a pub landlord with the local community very much at heart.
He recently raised hundreds of pounds for Queenscourt Hospice by taking part in the 2024 Jail and Bail challenge.
Earlier this year, The Hesketh Arms collected chocolate Easter eggs for children at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool; invited customers to donate gifts for children in need at Christmas; and regularly supports Village events such as the Churchtown Christmas Fayre.
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