A Stapleford sports bar and live music venue is having a makeover thanks to a grant from the Stapleford Towns Fund. Larry’s Number One Bar, in Derby Road, is owned by landlord Lloyd Mason, who opened the bar in the former HSBC building in 2014 to bring an exciting new night time venue to the town.
Lloyd applied to the Towns Fund’s Recovery Grant Scheme for £50,000 to fund much-needed work to modernise the building and improve accessibility. The scheme aims to support town centre businesses to recover from the impact of the pandemic, and Larry’s is one of more than 70 businesses to benefit from a share of the £1m fund.
A further £20,000 is being put into the revamp, which includes new entrance doors, signage and windows, better disabled access and roofing. Inside, the heating system will be improved and the bar will be redecorated. A new kitchen, seating, toilets and lighting will be installed.
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Lloyd, known locally as Larry, said: “It’s been tough over the last few years with stock shortages, delays on orders and ever-changing pricing. We’re really lucky to still be going when many other local businesses have had to close.
“Larry’s Number One Bar is a local venue and we want it to be the very best for our customers. We’re really grateful for this grant as it means we can do this work now – a huge boost to our business.”
He added: “Stapleford needs investment like this – it’s long overdue – and this grant scheme is already helping to smarten up our high street and give businesses a better chance of success.”
Ian Jowett, Chair of the Stapleford Towns Board, said: “Larry’s Number One Bar is a great, thriving business run by a local man who has invested in Stapleford for many years. “We are pleased to be able to support the businesses with funding for work that will improve the look and feel of the town visually, and create a much more accessible, modern bar for local people to enjoy too.”
The work at Larry’s Number One Bar will also have a positive impact on jobs and employment. Lloyd added: “The work we’re doing will help us attract new customers which will safeguard the jobs of our current nine staff, and lead to more staff in future. More customers also mean more business for our local suppliers - so this is good news all round for Stapleford.”
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