A pub whose team won a national award for being community lockdown heroes has undergone a £10k interior transformation.

Using prize money which was won in the awards last year, The Clifton Arms in Blackburn welcomed back loyal customers on Monday, delighting them with a refurbished inside space, and a new TV, ready for karaoke and games nights.

Following the award win last September, landlady Carole Davis submitted an application for a £10,000 grant from the £165,000 Coca-Cola Community Pub Fund, which was divided between all 15 Great British Pub award winners and their chosen charities.

The Clifton Arms has had a makeover thanks to prize money from a pub awards last year

The Clifton Arms has had a makeover thanks to prize money from a pub awards last year

The Clifton Arms’ grant money has gone towards transforming its inside space, with all carpets and upholstery being replaced, as well as the installation of a new glass mirror that stretches the full length of the bar, to reflect light back into the room.

The team has also installed a 65-inch TV to take their infamous karaoke nights to the next level and deliver great quality viewing for sports fans.

The Clifton Arms has had a makeover thanks to prize money from a pub awards last year

The Clifton Arms has had a makeover thanks to prize money from a pub awards last year

Mrs Davis said: “We could not have done all of this without the £10,000 from Coca-Cola.

"Being open to the public again is amazing, and being able to showcase our incredible new interior is the cherry on top.

Pub of the Year win for Clifton Arms brings smile back to Blackburn

“As well as our new upholstery and beautiful back bar, we’ve also been able to increase our security by installing new CCTV and alarms, which is a great comfort for me and my staff.

"After a tough year we’re delighted to be back doing what we do best."

The Clifton Arms has had a makeover thanks to prize money from a pub awards last year

The Clifton Arms has had a makeover thanks to prize money from a pub awards last year

The focus at The Clifton Arms is always on the community, so when it came to carrying out the refurbishment, they made sure that the jobs went to local tradespeople who’ve been out of work or on furlough during the last year.

Throughout lockdown last year and into 2021, the team have continued to make food available to those most in need, including free Easter lunches and fruit boxes, and more recently getting milk to vulnerable children and people that need shelter.

The Clifton Arms has had a makeover thanks to prize money from a pub awards last year

The Clifton Arms has had a makeover thanks to prize money from a pub awards last year

Head of on-premise at Coca-Cola, Paul Robertson, added: “It’s been incredible to see the sheer volume of community-based projects that have been driven by our Coca-Cola Community Pub Fund winners – and now it’s our turn to give something back.

“Carole and her team at The Clifton Arms are no exception, and we are delighted to see the transformation of the pub interior.

"We are keen to support businesses like this one and are confident that now they are open again, the community they have supported so well will flood back through the doors.”

The £10,000 grant marks The Clifton Arms’ second wave of funding from the Coca-Cola Community Pub Fund, following a £1,000 donation to Blackburn charity Community Spirit late last year.