A pub that is the “meeting hub of the community” has had an almost £80,000 refurbishment after coming close to closure.
The Badger, in the Meriden estate, underwent a major refurbishment eight weeks ago.
The pub has now been open for four weeks and received a great reception from customers, who have been “surprised” by the new look for a pub that has stood since the 1950s.
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Manager Darren Seabrook, 53, explained how the revamp came about.
He said: “Just before the pandemic hit, I was going to sell up, but we ended up borrowing the bounce-back loan and then spent nearly 80 grand on the refurb, and we are moving forward instead.
“You know, eventually this pub will be flats, they have knocked down all the shops right next to the pub.
“There were talks to buy up the land before Covid, and I’ve had to have a rethink on that.”
Darren, who grew up in Garston, has been at the pub for 20 years and has just signed a lease for another 20.
“My dad drank in here when I was a kid.
“I realised how important the pub is to local people, it’s the meeting point of the estate, there’s a lot of good people on the Meriden.
“I thought If I sell up the people who are employed here and the people who drink here will have to move on, it’s not just me it’s a whole family really.”
The Badger’s management took on the refurb themselves, with support from their brewery.
Builders who were used to drinking at the pub after work chipped in to work on the revamp.
The modern look pub aims to be a perfect location for watching sport, listening to live music, and meeting people.
The outside area is set up to host music acts and the inside is geared for a sporty focus including tv screens, pool, and darts.
Darren added: “The Badger has been here a long time and now we've changed a lot.
“A lot of people are surprised when they walk in because the pub inside doesn’t look like the pub outside.”
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