The Grapes will soon close for a £500,000 refurbishment

POPULAR Formby pub The Grapes will close it's doors on Sunday 15th November for a complete half a million pounds refurbishment.

The Green Lane pub is set to re–open on Tuesday 8th December after undergoing the biggest investment that Stonegate Pubs has ever done. Stonegate Pubs have over 600 pubs and bars, across the UK, and operate a wide variety of formats from high-street pubs and traditional country inns to local community pubs, student pubs and late-night bars and venues.

The pub, originally built as a hotel in the 19th century and now thought of as an important historic landmark in Formby, underwent a complete overhall back in August 2009 costing a whopping £350,000. Since then has been known as the Grapes Hotel.

New Managers, Mal and Claudia Quillam who are from Holland, said "We aim to put The Grapes back on the map, offering a new dining area with full table service, new menu's and for it to be a classic pub known as a great place to be in Formby."

The refurbishment has started outside with renovations to the woodwork and will see it painted in new colours and re-rendered when the work officially commences a week on Monday. The inside will be completely ripped out and refurbished into a classic pub. It will not be named the Grapes Hotel, just known as The Grapes.

New manager Mal said he is also recruiting for staff. He is looking for Chefs and Front of house persons. If you are interested, please give them a call on Tel: 01704 878 595

We will keep you updated on the refurbishment as it goes on.