Cheshire pub shut for five months reopens TODAY after £450k revamp

A Cheshire town centre pub described as "a sleeping giant with loads of potential" reopens its doors today (January 31) following a major revamp. The Railway Hotel on Pillory Street in Nantwich has been closed for five months.

Now it's back pulling pints again following a £450,000 upgrade by Heineken owned Star Pubs. The investment has created 20 new jobs and transformed the watering hole into a high-quality venue.

The tired and dated site has been given a complete makeover whilst retaining its Victorian character and feel. Further down the line, the intention is to revamp the hotel’s six en-suite bedrooms, which are currently closed.

Inside, seating has been increased from 62 to 91 and a new disabled toilet and commercial kitchen have been installed. The layout consists of a bar and lounge, each of which can be accessed from the other for the first time.

The bar has snug areas with wooden traditional panelling and deep leather banquettes as well as high tables with armchair style stools. The lounge has timber flooring, panelled walls, wall planters and feature wallpaper as well as a mix of leather armchairs, bistro style chairs and mid-height fixed seating.

Outside, The Railway Hotel has been redecorated in smart grey and white with traditional lanterns either side of the door and hanging baskets completing the look. There’s new outdoor seating for 32 at the front and in the garden festoon lighting and new furniture.

The new menu at The Railway Hotel consists of traditional pub classics. Breakfast will also be available at the weekend. The pub is open from midday on weekdays and from 9am at the weekends. The drinks offer includes a wide selection of draught ales, lagers and ciders including Cruz Campo, Birra Moretti, Beavertown Neck Oil, Inchs and Old Mout, a good wine selection, and premium spirits.

The new publican, Luke Thexton, who was born and bred in Nantwich, has extensive hospitality experience. His plans for The Railway Hotel are to show live sports and to host regular live music and entertainment. Luke said: "I know the Railway Hotel of old. It’s a lovely building - a sleeping giant with loads of potential.

"It was dated and needed an overhaul to broaden its appeal. The new-look Railway Hotel is somewhere to pop in for a drink, a coffee, a snack or a meal and in time will be somewhere to stay overnight too. I am looking forward to opening the doors tomorrow and welcoming the community to their new local."

Star Pubs business development manager Paul Alldis added: “We’re delighted to have invested in The Railway and for it to be reopening so early in the year. It is a fantastic building, in a great location near the station. Having lived in the area for many years Luke knows what residents and visitors are looking for when they go out to socialise.

"I am confident that The Railway Hotel will flourish under his stewardship and be somewhere the community can enjoy and be proud of. I wish him and his team well."

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