The landlady of the Victoria pub in Portslade has promised regulars an upcoming makeover will not see it transformed into a gastropub.
The pub will soon be given a £104.000 facelift thanks to owners Punch Taverns.
The pub will be redecorated, bar areas and toilets will be revamped, and new lighting, furniture and signage will be installed.
The work will begin on 16 February and the pub will need to close for the week beginning 19 March, while the internal upgrade is completed. During the works, loyal locals are being asked to ‘excuse the mess’.
The work is being carried out because The Victoria, a popular local sports pub, with its own pool and darts teams, has been in need of some tlc.
Now, publican Zena Ives, who took on the pub as a Punch Taverns partner three years ago, is looking forward to relaunching it in March with a bright new look and offer.
She said: “This won’t be yet another foodie pub! I want to give my locals an even better pub at the heart of their community.
“It will still be a traditional local, but now there will be more sport, more entertainment and some really good value pub food, for people who want a bite to eat.
“There will be better TV, pool and darts, more weekend entertainment, and pub food including burgers, basket meals, and dishes with a Jamaican theme.”
Punch Taverns New Business Development Manager Samantha Price said: “It’s great to be working with a publican like Zena. She’s experienced – she has run another pub with us – and we share her passion for the business.
“We think she’s right to champion The Victoria as Portslade’s favourite traditional pub and we’re pleased to be working with her on the upgrade.”
