Much-loved pub set to re-open with new boss after being closed for more than three years
A historic 'much-loved' pub in the heart a community is re-opening after more than three years out of action.
The Elephant and Castle on Dawley High Street, which closed during the coronavirus pandemic, has been taken over by the Valiant Pub Company and will be run by local Spencer Jordan-Pitt, who has more than 14 years of experience in the industry.
The Dawley local, who has run several pubs in the West Midlands, says he has always thought about running the pub 'one day' - when walking past on a daily occurrence - and has now been handed the keys to the near 300-year-old listed building.
Refurbishment works inside the Elephant and Castle, which is dog friendly and will offer local cask ales, are on-going and expected to last until September 16. The pub's works began in mid-August and includes all new flooring, furniture, a bar area, dining area, bar pumps and more.
With a new lick of paint outside too, Dawley is set to regain one if its most-popular high-street destinations.
Locals and a campaign group battled to save the pub during recent years and members of the community even proposed taking over.
For the the first time, the Elephant and Castle will offer food throughout the day with a breakfast menu served from 9am until 11.30am each day, and a main menu between 12pm and 9pm.
The pub is also going to host visitors for Sunday Lunch, and new manager Spencer hopes to host quiz nights and entertainment in the future.
Visitors can enjoy the Elephant and Castle's beer garden, and the 'family-friendly' pub will also offer a function room that will be available for hire.
New boss Spencer is looking forward to the pub re-opening its doors on Thursday, September 19, and to welcoming residents and locals to what he hopes will be a cornerstone of the community.
He said: "I walk past it all the time and I've always thought 'one day'.
"It's great to have something local to me. I think it will be a great asset to the community with what we're going to do.
"We feel that there's nowhere like this (another pub) that will do food in Dawley. It's going to be good value for money and to give something back to the community.
"It it's a much-loved pub by the community so we feel that opening it back up we will get the full support."
Spencer was also pleased to say he had received 'full backing' from the local council, and despite the economical challenges that the pub previously faced, believes a new era can begin.
The Elephant and Castle's new boss added: "The industry has changed a lot since Covif. People want value for money, and people do still go out for food, we've seen that, so we feel that will attract people."
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