Around 10 jobs are going to be created with a plan to reopen a Stoke-on-Trent pub that has been closed for two years.
Experienced landlord Kenny Mackenzie hopes that he will be able to get the former Roebuck pub ready in time for the start of the new football season.
The new Old Sam’s pub has seen a great deal of investment to transform the inside and outside of the Congleton Road venue. The new pub will show live sport from two giant plasma screens.
Mr Mackenzie is a veteran landlord and has previously run pubs in Stoke-on-Trent and south Cheshire. He said that he wanted to create a community pub with football, darts and dominoes teams.
48-year-old Kenny said: “The idea is to keep it as a traditional pub with a sports theme.
“It’s had a major refurbishment to a high standard and has been completely gutted inside. We’ve put a solid oak bar in, which looks really good and some old style doors as well.
“The back room has been made bigger and there will be 60-inch and 50-inch plasma screens, which will show Sky Sports and hopefully all the Stoke City matches. Ideally the pub will be open in time for the football season but if we’re not, hopefully it will be the week after.
“We’ve nearly agreed a deal with a brewery for what drinks we will be serving and we’re also looking at using micro-breweries within a 20-mile radius to supply us as well.
“The pub will also be serving food but we’re still looking into that at the minute. It’s going to be a fresh start for the pub and everyone, young and old, will be welcome.”
There are also four refurbished flats above the property that could be used as holiday lettings or for a new bed and breakfast in Stoke-on-Trent.
Kenny added: “I’ve got good memories of working in Stoke-on-Trent because a spade is a spade with the people and that’s the way I am.”