Excitement is building in Nottingham city centre with a historic pub, which has been closed for around three years, set to reopen soon. Work has been taking place at the Peacock, in Mansfield Road, both inside and out, ready for a planned relaunch in February.
New red and gold signs have gone up outside, while the old-fashioned interior has been undergoing a "major" revamp. The pub, located near Mansfield Road's junction with Shakespeare Street, closed in August 2020 due to the pandemic. The owners hope the investment will attract a mix of drinkers.
Owner Star Pubs & Bars said refurbishment was on the cards in October 2021 once a new operator was secured. However, as time progressed the building's exterior became more and more dilapidated, raising concern amongst CAMRA members and Nottingham Civic Society.
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The Victorian pub's new look will be "stylish, trendy and sumptuous", while bringing back some of its original features, according to Star. Now, Nottingham residents and shoppers have shared their enthusiasm about a new local close to home. One man said there will be "a lot of competition" in an area where pubs and bars are not difficult to come by.
Courier Marek Racko, who is 23 and lives nearby, said: "There's a few pubs up and down the street. I think another pub just opened up up the road.
"There's also a new student accommodation not far from here so for students it'll be good for them. They're out all the time so I'm sure it'll get a lot of younger people coming in.
"I was never a student but I think they would like it. Obviously it's a good location for it - and for me - because it's in the heart of the city. There will be a lot of competition."
Lance Coliner, 34, said: "I love a pub. I think that's the same for a lot of people. As long as the atmosphere is good - that's all you want really. A friendly place with good people where you can have a laugh and a good time on the weekends.
"I don't think I've ever been into this one when it was open but good for them for opening back up again. Covid was a struggle. It seems like pubs were hit hard as well. Most of them you hear they've closed down for good.
"I'm not sure I've heard a story of one closing down recently and then being able to open up again years later so that's great to hear. I'll be checking it out.
"There are lots of pubs around the city so I'm not sure if they'll have old loyal customers or they'll need new ones so hopefully people get out and support them. I'm sure they will - hopefully the food is good. As long as there's burgers and chips, I'm happy."
The offer will include barista-style coffee as well as a range of cask ales, craft beers, and an extensive gin and cocktail menu. The eclectic finishes will include a botanical carpet, a mix of deep buttoned velvet-covered fixed seating and free-standing wooden tables and chairs, a stripped timber bar and dark panelled walls with framed artwork.
Until this revamp, the pub lounge hadn't altered since the 1930s, with carved bench seating, wainscoting panelling on the walls and windows etched with a peacock motif. More recently, the Peacock became the city's first pub to have an all-vegan menu in 2016 when landlord Michael Scholes decided to ditch meat, fish and dairy.
The pub closed for a spell in 2019 when he retired after 19 years behind the bar - and although it reopened, it was short-term.
HGV driver Jon O'Neill is from Islington, London, but now lives close to Nottingham city centre. The 34-year-old said: "I think it's a good location - right in the city. It will attract a lot of customers for sure.
"I don't really think there can be too many pubs in a location like this. During times like this it's important to get venues up-and-running and you need locals to support them. As long as it's not a vegan pub I'll check it out."
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