One of Huddersfield’s best-known pubs, The Nags Head at Ainley Top, is to close for six weeks for a makeover costing more than £500,000.
Bosses are looking to take the historic pub back to its roots with plans to expose the beams and strip off the plaster.
In addition, the kitchen will get a much-needed transformation and the toilets will be moved with the introduction of a separate disabled loo.
There are also ambitious plans to create French doors in the barn area amid other structural changes.
A spokeswoman for owners Mitchells & Butler’s said: “I can confirm the site will be closing at the start of February for six weeks and will reopen in late March.
“The refurbishment is part of Mitchells & Butler’s acquisition of 173 Orchid sites in 2014.
“The pub will continue to deliver high quality service and premium food, as well as having a fresh new look.”
The investment is just part of a huge effort by landlords and pub operators to improve many of the area’s leading hostelries with hundreds of thousands of pounds being spent.
Bruce Travis, landlord of the King’s Head, next door to Huddersfield Railway Station, has spent £200,000 on taking the pub back to its glorious 19th century heritage when it was a waiting room by getting rid of the false ceilings and restoring its superb coving.
And Mark Robertson, who owns the Plumbers Arms just yards from Huddersfield Bus Station, has spent tens of thousands of pounds on gutting its interior including stripping it back to its red brick finish and giving the exterior a desperately-needed resurfacing.
He hopes the pub will reopen in February as a real ale bar with as many as six to eight ‘proper’ cask ales for punters to choose from.
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Up in Rastrick, meanwhile, Rick and Maggie Starkey have spent getting on for £100,000 refurbishing The Clough House, now renamed The Four Sons.
That, too, is due to open in days if not weeks.
Jay Weir, regional manager at Enterprise Inns, said: “The Elephant & Castle at Holmfirth, (which had £150,000 spent on it) is doing very well post-investment, exceeding my expectations and those of the operator, which is great news.
“The Butcher’s Arms at Hepworth won our Enterprise Community Hero award for the Division, beating stiff competition from 250 pubs.
“They’ve been rewarded with £3,000 from us to spend on community initiatives of their choice, which they’ve chosen to spend with four different community groups.
“Great to see such a fantastic pub performing well again and now truly at the heart of the village community.
“I have recently been working with Pam at the Waggon & Horses in Meltham, who with a little bit of help from me, has completely revamped the pub and is a genuine village gem.
“Lastly, I have been working with Lee and Emily at the Junction at Marsh.
“With some assistance from me, they will be closing early in the new year to refurbish the trading area and reopen with a bang.”
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