Glimpse at what city-centre pub will look like after £1.5m revamp
CUSTOMERS have been given a preview of how a Wetherspoon pub in Derby is set to look following a huge refurbishment worth more than £1.5 million.
The Standing Order, one of the chain’s three city-centre venues, has been closed since early May while changes take place. Work has been ongoing on a new purpose-built beer garden, seating area and an extended bar and kitchen inside the Iron Gate pub.
A reopening date had been pencilled in for Tuesday, August 23, but this has now been pushed back by two weeks to Tuesday, September 6.
Computer-generated images have given punters a first glimpse at how the changes should look when they are completed. The new beer garden will be situated at the rear of the pub, where the old car park was located.
The pub first experimented with outdoor seating during the pandemic, when they transformed their back yard by installing tables and seating.
The move went down well with punters, who could meet friends during periods when indoor social distancing measures would have otherwise prevented them.
While originally the area beyond the pub’s back door was reserved for staff parking and fire assemblies, the images show how changes will make the area a beer garden. Hanging baskets and decorative flowers are visible amongst tables and benches sheltered by canopies.
The images also show the new seating area, part of an extension made possible by the chain’s purchase of the premises next door.
The pub is being extended into the adjoining Joseph Wright House, formerly occupied by Boxall Brown & Jones estate agents.
The image of the main floor looks familiar, but visible on the far side is an archway, expected to lead to the new extension. A JD Wetherspoon spokesman confirmed that as well as the changes listed, a new carpet is being put in and the ceiling is being redecorated.
The Standing Order has been temporarily shut since Monday, May 2, but there are two other Wetherspoon pubs in the city centre – The Thomas Leaper next door in Iron Gate, and The Babington Arms in Babington Lane.
There are also a further nine branches in the wider county, including venues in Chesterfield, Alfreton, Ilkeston, Ripley and Swadlincote.