A popular and charming Headingley pub is set to close for weeks as it undergoes a major £300,000 transformation.
The Pack Horse, in Woodhouse Lane, will close at the end of service on November 27 and reopen on December 19 - just in time for Christmas.
The transformation of the "worn down" pub will see its décor improved, the venue's original features reinstated as well as a new beer garden.
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Work inside the pub also includes an upgrade of the existing exposed brickwork retained and fires refurbished.
New additions to the venue will include a rustic timber clad wall and tiled walls decorated with signwriting, clustered bric-a-brac and book shelves in alcoves, a spokesperson for the pub has said.
Pending council approval, the Pack Horse, will also get a covered heated pergola with capacity for 100 and an outside bar.
Licensee Charlie Good said: “The Pack Horse’s location opposite the university makes it an ideal haunt for students and those who love to watch live music. Despite its charm, however, it has over time become worn down.
"The refurbishment along with the introduction of all-day coffee, food offers, craft ales and a greatly improved beer garden will create a great new looking destination. It will be the ideal place for students, locals and city centre workers to meet up or work from during the day and socialise in the evening.
“The garden is going to be amazing and a real draw as it will be the best in the area and offers a completely different vibe to what is available locally.
“Our manager Arjun and his team have done an amazing job working in this area with limited resources. I’m excited to see what they can do with a revitalised pub and with the opportunity to establish this venue as one of the best in the area.”
The Pack Horse will serve a range of cask and craft ales and lagers, some which will be sourced locally, along with other ‘on trend’ drinks such as gins, premium soft drinks and a great Low & no range.
The pub will also offer street food in food trucks in the garden and different specialist caterers operating on a rotating residency basis.
A spokesperson added that live music will be a major feature at The Pack Horse with bands continuing to play frequently in the pub’s upstairs function room which will have a dedicated bar for bands and local student societies to use.
Jay Weir, Star Pubs & Bars area manager said: “The new licensee and their manager Arjun are very experienced operators and are ideally suited for this site. Taking on the lease following an extensive upgrade of the pub means they can now introduce the changes needed to make the Packhorse a unique pub in the area, and a day time as well as an evening venue.”
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