Making room for recovery
A favourite watering hole in Feilding is putting the finishing touches to its first makeover in 21 years, just in time to help the bar recover from lockdown.
Murray’s Irish Bar is unveiling on Monday the end result of a renovation that has doubled the size of the bar.
Manager Matthew Thomas said contractors started on the expansion just before the coronavirus lockdown hit in March. It was frustrating to put the project on hold after nearly two years of planning.
‘‘But it has been all hands to the pump since we got into [alert] level 1, and we’ve used every minute of every day to get ready.’’
Murray’s would now have twice the space for patrons and a dedicated live music area, which would boost the pub’s recovery.
‘‘So every cloud has a silver lining and we’ve been getting lots of interest [in the new space] since we reopened two weeks ago.’’
Murray’s has now expanded into the premises next door, which used to house a National Bank branch until it moved out five years ago.
Thomas said planning began 18 months ago.
Craftsman Andrew Gibbs, from Waituna West, just north of Feilding, was hired to create a new bar top, tables and features from Manawatu¯-milled macrocarpa wood.
Co-owner Noel Leins said supporting other Manawatu¯ businesses, particularly at a time like this, was an important part of the pub’s ethos.
‘‘It’s vital to us that people from our community are involved. It also means we get the best quality of work and wood straight off farms in our region.’’