A WETHERSPOON pub in the region will close for four months over summer to allow for a £2m refit and installation of brand new roof garden.
The Cooper Rose in Sunderland will shut its doors to customers on June 21 and is set to reopen after the major overhaul on October 25.
The pub had recently reopened its doors after permission from Sunderland City Council to close a road and open an outdoor beer garden was granted.
Read more: Wetherspoon opens on-street beer garden at The Cooper Rose in Sunderland
The company, which also opened its brand new Buck Inn venue in Northallerton last month, said it was aiming to give its customers the "best possible" pub with the transformation.
Planning permission for the creation of a beer garden on the roof of the building was first granted in 2015, but this expired meaning a second application had to be submitted.
But plans were again approved by Sunderland City Council, which now means the company can push ahead with the development.
Eddie Gershon, a spokesperson for Wetherspoon, said: “ The Cooper Rose is a very popular pub and our aim is always to give our customers the best possible pub.
“We believe that the roof garden will be an excellent addition to the pub.
“The investment of £2m in the pub highlights our commitment not just to the pub and its staff and customers, but also to Sunderland itself.
“Hopefully this will act as a catalyst for further investment in the city.”
Despite the temporary closure, the chain's other Sunderland-venue, William Jameson pub will remain open while work continues.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here