A VILLAGE pub is set to reopen this month when a £460,000 refurbishment is complete.

The Stag's Head, in Esh Winning is being taken over by experienced licensees Michael and Tracy Miller and is getting a complete overhaul before it reopens at the end of the month.

The pub will be family and dog-friendly and will be offering food for the first time.

The Northern Echo:

The Stag's Head in Esh Winning is getting a £460,000 refurbishment

The couple are returning to the area with their four children and two dogs to be closer to family and friends.

Mr Miller said: “Tracy and I will be very hands on in the kitchen and behind the bar. We’re really looking forward to coming back north and immersing ourselves in village life.

"We want The Stag’s Head to be a hub of the community where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together and where there is always something going on.”

They are hoping to overhaul the rundown decor, reconfiguring the interior to increase space for serving food, creating a larger locals bar and making room for disabled toilets.

The couple will continue the darts and pool at the pub, adding a pub quiz and bingo night and live sports on Sky and BT.

It is hoped the refurbishment will be finished in time for the bank holiday weekend and the pub will start serving food in September.

Gary Corney, Star Pubs and Bars regional operations director said: “The Stag’s Head is being totally transformed, which together with the introduction of food, will broaden its appeal, making it more sustainable.

The Northern Echo:

How the pub will look when work is completed later this month

"The refurbishment is part of £50 million being invested by Heineken this year in pubs like The Stag’s Head to help them keep pace with peoples’ changing needs and expectations so that they can thrive for the long term.

"I wish Tracy and Michael success and happiness at The Stag’s Head and look forward to visiting it.”