Incredible makeover transforms Devon seaside pub

When it comes to pub transformations, the Bullers Arms in Brixham has shown that with lots of imagination and a fitting theme for the location, the incredible can be achieved. Embracing the town's rich fishing port history, the venue has become an unrecognisable nautical haven while maintaining its 'proper pub' ambience.

The £200,000 makeover is based around its existing boat shaped bar named Orlando. A boat mural has been painted on the roof girder by local artist Toni Knight and themed decor such as oars on the wall and a ship's wheel now adorn its walls. There is a new colour scheme, new furniture and flooring and a new woodburner has been installed.

The outside has also been radically transformed by being repainted navy blue with new signage. The pub's sporty vibe has still been retained with framed local team shirts on display and its pool table has been reclothed in blue.

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Hugely proud of the refurbishment, co-funded by Star Pubs, is pub manager Kevin Lang. He was born and bred in Brixham and also manages The Blue Anchor just a few metres away.

He took over The Bullers Arms in April in a bid to secure its future after an unsuccessful attempt by the previous manager to turn the once thriving pub into a cocktail bar.

His first weekend in charge was the town's busiest weekend of the year - Brixham Pirate Festival - and this weekend following its reopening it will be the Brixham Lights & Lanterns festival.

Kevin said: "It was the first pub I went to and I met my wife here so it's a place that means a lot to me. I had been looking for a second for a while and this came up.

"It has now had a total overhaul to bring the pub back to what it should be which is the hub of the community. Since taking it over I have turned it into a sports bar as Brixham didn't have one and we now sponsor Brixham Town Football Club.

"The outside of the pub looked so uninviting; it looked rough and run down. It has now been transformed into one of the prettiest pubs both inside and out.

"It's now warm, inviting and cosy but it's still a pub and even though it's a sports bar as it is quite big it is multi-functional.

"I couldn't be happier with the way it looks. Everybody has said it looks totally different."

The pub closed its doors on October 15 for the refurbishment to be carried out. It officially reopened last Saturday, November 16, with popular local band Nothing But Mammals kicking off the celebrations.

Kevin said: "It was incredibly busy. There has been a 99.9 per cent positive reaction to the changes.

"But am I confident about its future? I want to be and I hope it is.

"We have had one of the quietest summers I have ever in Brixham. It was down to the cryptosporidium outbreak, the cost of living crisis, people going abroad as it is a lot cheaper, and the dwindling population due to the high housing costs and many houses being unoccupied because of second homes and holiday lets etc."

Another welcomed change at the Bullers Arms is to its food menu. There is now a new emphasis on 'small plates' but still the same quality food and made using local produce such as meat from nearby Evans Family Foods.

Kevin explained: "It's still nice food but is more accessible for people watching sports and is slightly cheaper. We are also still hosting live music maybe three or four times a month, depending on the time of year."