North West’s Pub of the Year, the Bridgewater in Darwen is to close temporarily this week for a £230,000 refurbishment, creating two new positions when it re-opens on Wednesday 26th March.
The pub, which was named Best Managed House for the North-West by industry bible, The Publican and a national finalist in its 2013 awards, is to have a top to toe makeover. The historic building on Church Street was formerly known as the Palladium cinema before it was converted to a pub in 2006. Today, its wide mix of customers who flock to it from 9am for breakfast through to 4am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for its guaranteed party atmosphere, is testament to its popularity in the town.
In addition to a brand new menu being introduced, the pub will be increasing the number of cask ale pumps at the bar giving its customers greater choice of ales, sourced nationally and locally. Lancashire brewer Moorhouse is creating a special ale for the Bridgewater’s re-launch. Named ‘Industry’, it is an acknowledgment to the Industrial heritage of Darwen.
To celebrate the pub’s refurbishment, general manager, Adam Hulme and his team will be hosting a reception on Wednesday 26th March from 5pm, with complimentary champagne and canapés for locally invited business customers and VIP guests. Joining them for the evening will be Mayoress of Darwen, Councillor Eileen Entwistle. A fabulous table magician will provide entertainment throughout the evening.
Known for its hybrid mix of quality food and drink, welcoming community atmosphere, top sports viewing facilities and late night, party nights, the Bridgewater will open with a packed schedule of entertainment. It’s Thursday evening quiz night, which regularly attracts over seventy participants, will be re-launched, whilst on Fridays, a new evening ‘Decadance’ will focus on great music through the decades of dance from 70s up to today. The pub will also be launching a new disco themed night on Saturdays and a ‘Guilty Pleasures’ evening every Sunday during which customers can request their guilty pleasure song to be played. For the uninhibited there is a costume rail and prop box as well as karaoke facilities to make that song their own!
The pub re-opens with an excellent choice of dishes on its traditional pub menu, from classic pub food such as hand battered fish and chips, sausage and mash or curry inspired pie, to its range of under 500 calorie main courses dishes, for those looking for a lighter option. Also new are some great sharing platters, such as mini burgers, perfect for snacking on during evenings watching sport with friends.
Three extra TV screens are to be installed, meaning there will be eleven throughout the pub, so that customers will always have a great view of the top sporting action, wherever they are in the pub.
As a treat for Darwen sports fans Adam and his team will be offering 400 lucky customers the chance to join them for a special evening on Tuesday 25th March ahead of the pub’s official re-launch to watch the Manchester United versus Manchester City game. Customers can apply for a Golden Ticket to the sports evening by emailing Bridgewater.Darwen@stonegatepubs.com
Speaking about the refurbishment general manager Adam Hulme said, “There is a lot of anticipation in the town about the pub’s refurbishment and it certainly won’t disappoint. Everything that our customers love about the pub, its great food and drinks choice, brilliant community spirit, fun vibrant party nights and top sports viewing facilities are here to stay, but extras are now even better. We are particularly excited about the new dishes being introduced onto the menu, cocktail choices and added variety of cask ales.”
“The Bridgewater has always been the go to -pub in the area for its loyal customers and now with its new look, we hope to attract more new customers to enjoy what it has to offer.”