A HISTORIC Malpas pub is to reopen its doors tomorrow (Wednesday, September 16), following a year-long revamp and a new name.

The Lion at Malpas, formerly the Red Lion, has had a significant renovation and refurbishment.

The pub, located in Old Hall Street, has also added 16 luxurious double rooms which will be open to the public one week later.

The site dates back to 16th Century. Following an extensive works, the pub now offers a large open bar area with a range of quality local ales and lagers, wines and spirits as well as classic cocktails. The area has been segmented to offer cosy spaces with fires as well as relaxed and more formal dining areas throughout.

The kitchen at The Lion will make use of fine local ingredients with meals prepared to reflect the seasons, alongside the pub classics.

Menus will be updated to showcase fresh ingredients, each cooked in a variety of ways including on a state of the art Josper oven, using Cheshire coals to produce unique and beautiful smoky flavours.

Alongside the pub, The Lion at Malpas will also offer 16 double bedrooms. The range of rooms are all named after local Cheshire villages and have been designed by award-winning Lister Carter, an interior design company from Chester.

The Lion at Malpas has also been extended to include The Brereton Suite, an event space suitable for small wedding receptions, family gatherings or business events. The glass and oak structured room holds more than 55 guests, has its own bar, toilets as well as an outdoor terrace with large fire pit.

Presently, the suite can only accommodate in accordance with Government guidelines.

In line with the Covid-19 situation, The Lion will be implementing a number of procedures in line with its opening. This will include sanitisation points, single use menus, limits on room capacity, track and trace and bookings being necessary for drinks as well as food.

Woody Barlow, director of Bear Inns, operators of The Lion at Malpas, said: “We’re very excited to welcome locals and visitors to share the exciting transformation of The Lion.

"The staff are well prepared and excited to offer the Malpas residents a range of delicious food, local beers as well as cocktails and other tasty treats and look forward to opening our doors again after such an extensive project.”

Simon Lees-Jones, landlord of The Lion at Malpas adds: “This is a really great building with heaps of character, we’ve loved watching it come together and develop, and now we’re excited for it to be shared with the Malpas and Cheshire community.”

The Lion at Malpas will open on Wednesday, September 16 at noon. Bookings are recommended for food and drinks, and can be made by calling 01948 807070.