'Emmerdale' fans love The Woolpack's new look as soap shows off accessibility changes

Katie Archer
·Contributor
·2-min read
FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO Print media - No Use Before Tuesday 9th March 2021 Online Media - No Use Before 0700hrs Tuesday 9th March 2021 Emmerdale - Ep 8999 Friday 19th March 2021 Marlon Dingle [MARK CHARNOCK] and Rhona Goskirk [ZOE HENRY] are proud as they look at his name above the Woolpack door. Picture contact David.crook@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
The Woolpack reopened on 'Emmerdale'. (ITV)

Emmerdale fans were pleased to see beloved pub The Woolpack back open for business on Thursday night - where it showed off a swanky new look and accessible features.

The ITV soap's boozer was destroyed in an explosion late last year and owners Chas and Marlon Dingle were forced to put it up for sale, with Charity Dingle and Ryan Stocks becoming the shock new owners at auction.

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Last night's episode saw the grand reopening where a modern makeover of the classic pub's decor was unveiled, which was a hit with viewers.

One fan tweeted: "The woolpack looks more classier now. Modern #Emmerdale."

FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO - No use before 2031hrs Thursday 3rd February 2022 Emmerdale - Ep 9278 Thursday 3rd February 2022 Charity Dingle [EMMA ATKINS] and Ryan Stocks [JAMES MOORE] are announced as the new owners of the Woolpack Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Charity and Ryan are the pub's new owners. (ITV)

They added: "The show feels complete now the pub is back open. Love watching scenes in the woolpack. #Emmerdale."

Another viewer agreed: "I'm loving the new look Woolpack interior."

Someone else wrote: "Absolutely love the new Woolpack decor! I predict this is to be it's best era. Well done @emmerdale it is truly fabulous."

One viewer acknowledged how tricky it could be making over a popular part of the set, tweeting: "The Woolpack re-opening! UK Soaps have to walk such a tightrope when remodeling these iconic pubs…"

However, Emmerdale seems to have pulled it off and the many new accessible features that have been incorporated into the pub's new look were also appreciated.

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One fan tweeted: "The Woolpack having a lowered section of the bar tho… who Emmerdale put that forward, and can I kiss them? Because *real* life isn’t even as inclusive as that in 99% of bars."

FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO - No use before 2031hrs Thursday 3rd February 2022 Emmerdale - Ep 9278 Thursday 3rd February 2022 Charity Dingle [EMMA ATKINS] and Ryan Stocks [JAMES MOORE] are announced as the new owners of the Woolpack Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
The destroyed pub has been getting a revamp. (ITV)

The soap also released a video tour of The Woolpack to mark its reopening, with new owners Charity (Emma Atkins) and Ryan (James Moore) showing soap fans around its new features.

Highlights pointed out by them included a wheelchair ramp at the entrance, an accessible lowered bar and accessible seating areas.

It's been a big week in soapland for new sets, as EastEnders also debuted a refreshed Albert Square for Gray's arrest scenes last night and Coronation Street announced work had begun on a Weatherfield Precinct area earlier this week.

All three soaps also moved to a new schedule this week, with Emmerdale taking on a nightly slot at 7.30pm from Monday to Friday on ITV.

Watch: Emmerdale Soap Scoop! Dawn in big trouble

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