Village pub shuts for £310k revamp
STEFAN JAJECZNYK
AVILLAGE pub has closed for a massive £310,000 refurbishment to restore it to its former glory.
The Stanhill pub, in Stanhill village, is undergoing a transformation after having been taken over by Accrington chef, Brian Healy.
It will re-open in midFebruary as The Stanhill Pub and Kitchen.
New licensee Brian aims to honour the village’s history as part of the revamp which will see restoration work to the building and grounds - plus the addition of Sky and BT Sport.
The outside of the building will be restored and repainted. The garden will also receive a makeover with new decking and seating for 70 as well as a secure children’s play area.
The plans also include an upgraded kitchen and a new interior that embraces Stanhill’s history as the place where James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny.
The Stanhill will have its own house beer, Hargreaves Ale, to commemorate the inventor and the Spinning Jenny will feature on the pub’s sign.
A special display of historical community pic- ● tures and sewing machines will be used to decorate the interior.
The kitchen upgrade will enable The Stanhill to serve freshly prepared food. Ingredients will be sourced locally wherever possible, with meat coming from Whittaker’s butchers in Oswaldtwistle and Penny’s butchers in Clayton.
Brian is also investing in a quality coffee machine and will open the pub early for breakfast on Sundays.
Brian has had plenty of experience in the hospitality industry. He grew up in pubs in Blackburn, where his parents were licensees and he formerly ran Healy’s Wine Bar and Brasserie in Accrington.
Brian says he has always been familiar with the pub, and its potential. He said: “I’ve driven past The Stanhill for over twenty years. I’ve always admired it and thought what it potential it had, never thinking I’d be lucky enough to be its licensee one day!
“I want to bring it back to life and make it a family friendly pub that Stanhill can be proud of and where everyone feels at home.”
With his background as a chef, Brian says that while serving good food is a priority for him, he doesn’t want to lose the pub atmosphere.
He said: “The Stanhill will be very much a pub that serves food, not a restaurant.”