A PUB in the heart of Prescot has relaunched following a £180,000 transformation.
The Deanes House, on Church Street, has reopened with a new look after the investment by Punch Pubs.
A stone’s throw away from the Shakespeare North Playhouse, the venue reopened to the public on Friday, February 23 under the helm of publican Karen Bullen and business partner James Burke.
Meanwhile, the pub will be managed by husband-and-wife duo Lou and David Etchells.
The new-look pub is Karen and James’ third project having already taken on the nearby Clock Face Hotel and the Sun Inn, in Prescot.
For their latest venture, they will be leaving the everyday running in the hands of Lou and David, who recently returned to the UK following two successful decades at the helm of various restaurants and bars in Spain.
Karen said: “Deanes House is a fantastic pub that has so much potential! Guests will not be disappointed by what there is to offer, and James and I are extremely happy that Lou and David are managing it on our behalf.”
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Lou, born and bred in Prescot, said she feels “so honoured” to be looking after a pub that is “an institution” in the town.
Lou and David said: “We wanted to ensure that the Deanes House offered something unique. As the main pub in town, our aim is to keep our guests here and make it one of the most iconic pubs around.
"We have huge plans in mind, and we’re excited to get the ball rolling.”
Fitting in with the Shakespearean theme of the neighbouring theatre, Deanes House has been given a complete refresh with bright, bold colours, patterned fabrics, velvet curtains and Shakespearean bric-a-brac. In addition, feature-decorated ceilings, new light fixtures and textured wallpapers add character and a unique style.
The pub’s exterior has also been given a refresh with a change of colour and new signage. With a generous outside drinks area and ample parking at its rear, Lou and David are hoping the appeal to the south facing garden, which is now adorned in decorative planters, will be huge in the summer months.
With décor and furnishings taking inspiration from the late English poet, guests can expect a similar Shakespearean theme from the pub’s ‘Classically Small’ food menu, which offers light bites including a ‘To Brie or Not to Brie’ sandwich, ‘Much Ado About Stew’ and ‘Mc Broth’ all of which will be served seven days a week from noon until 7pm.
Lou says the pub will provide a weekly entertainment schedule, with live music on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and tribute acts on the last Saturday of each month.
The venue has five staff, in addition to Lou and David, who are looking forward to hosting traditional pub games in addition to setting up a regular pool and darts team, with events such as a ‘Murder Mystery among items on the horizon.
Guests can enjoy live sports being aired across the week on the TVs, alongside a Monday night quiz.
As well as hiring out the pub’s spacious function room, which is also being refurbished to fit the Shakespearean theme, Lou and David are hoping their coffee and cake mornings will also help to broaden guest appeal beyond those looking for an alcoholic drink or two.
Lou, whose mum was formerly a barmaid at Deans House, added: “We want our guests to visit not only for the fantastic atmosphere, great food, and drinks but also because they know they’re guaranteed to have a good time. This is a community pub, and we want Deanes House to be at the heart of it.”
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