A MUCH-loved pub that features highly on a walkers’ list of places to dine and drink has re-opened after lockdown - and it’s had a MAJOR facelift.
While many other pubs were left wondering if they’d be able to survive post-lockdown, landlords at The Royal Arms in Tockholes put all the free time they had to good use, and set about extending the pub and creating a brand new seated-patio area, that can hold up to 100 people.
Robin Tillbrook, his wife Ruth, and son Adam, have run the Ryal Fold pub for the last 18 months, and when they first took over, submitted a planning application to extend the establishment, which was approved in December last year.
Mr Tillbrook said: “We were going to start on the extension in September but when lockdown happened we thought it would be the perfect time to crack on with it.
“So five of us have built it ourselves, from scratch. We couldn’t get the building surveyor to come out because of Covid so it’s taken a little longer than we thought it would as I’ve had to take photos of every single stage of the work and send them to the council for approval.
"We've effectively built a new three bed semi on the side of the existing building, which has a new bistro cafe to fit 22 extra diners, and will house a commercial kitchen so we can provide more meals."
The Royal Arms re-opened at 3.30pm on Wednesday, for drinks only, and Mr Tillbrook invited customers to join them on the beer terrace.
They are still a few weeks away from completing work on the new kitchen and bistro but Mr Tillbrook said once the renovations are finished, they will have an official launch.
He continued: "This pandemic has been unprecedented but we've tried to use the time in lockdown in the most positive way we can.
"We were always going to extend the garden and the next phase is to get a tent erected so that we can have outdoor seating all year round.
"Since March, we've noticed the area has become a lot more popular with walkers.
"We think people are beginning to change their lifestyles slightly and get out and about more and we want to be able to welcome and cater for all these people."
The Royal Arms is now open for drinks from Wednesdays to Sundays; social distancing measures are in place and Covid-19 regulations are being adhered to throughout.
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