Yahoo News Landmark Stoke-on-Trent pub back open after stunning makeover
Drinkers have raised a glass to an impressive refurbishment at a landmark city pub - which has taken just over a month to complete. And the couple at the helm of Meir's The Saracens Head were personally asked to run the venue.
Now husband-and-wife team Paul and Emma Tunstall can proudly show off the works carried out at the Sandon Road boozer - which had a relaunch bash on Friday. StokeonTrentLive had previously reported how it closed for a refurbishment on April 13.
The revamp had followed a decision by the bosses behind the venue to 'step aside' after 12 years. Meir couple Paul and Emma say they were invited to take it on by new owners, Valiant Pub Company.
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Paul is a first time publican while wife Emma has supervised in a number of different boozers across the Potteries. They have moved into the venue with daughter Teagan, and hosted their relaunch evening on where there was live entertainment and promotions on drinks.
The couple want to turn the watering hole into a hub for the community. They aim to build up the reputation of the pub and, having a daughter themselves, hope for more families to come in for food and drinks.
Paul said: “Emma has always enjoyed the pub trade. I was in sales before, but working in the pub has taken up more of our time, so we both manage it now. The brewery, Valiant Pub Company, is massive on doing things for the community and doing charity work, so we want to make the pub a community hub.
“It was independent before for about 12 years and it was then sold to Valiant, who then asked us to come in because we know the locals and the community.
“We’ve been here for eight months - the regulars are lovely, and we like it here. It’s a nice little pub, we enjoy it, it’s a peaceful pub. We want people to come and have a drink and feel at ease when they’re here.
“We’ve opened the diner back up again and we’re offering pub classics, from burgers and pizza to hunter's chicken. We also have live singers, bands, or DJ karaoke as entertainment on the weekends.”
The Saracens Head is open from 11am until 11pm,Sundays to Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday from 11am until 1am. Food is available from 11am until 9pm on Monday to Saturday, and from 11am until 6pm on Sundays.
