A RIVERSIDE pub in the Bradford district has re-opened following a £200,000 refurbishment.
The Boathouse Inn, off Victoria Road, Saltaire, is welcoming back customers from this afternoon (Thursday, June 29) after a makeover.
The pub, on the banks of the River Aire near Roberts Park, was temporarily closed from June 5 to allow the work to take place.
One of the booth’s inside the Boathouse Inn’s restaurant area (Image: Newsquest)
The new-look bar area at the Saltaire pub (Image: Newsquest)
The restaurant has been expanded from 26 to 50 seats. The bar area also has 10 tables of four, giving the pub more room for diners.
The inside of the pub has been given a complete makeover, with new furniture and decoration work. There is also an area for people to stand and enjoy a drink near the pub’s entrance.
The outside of the pub features new wooden furniture including benches, which also have new lighting above them, and mini lampposts which are similar to those seen on the streets around the village.
A look at the restaurant area which overlooks Roberts Park (Image: Newsquest)
George White, general manager, said: “We’re all excited to start work here again.
“It’s like a brand-new place. It’s completely different to what it was.
“It’s a massive weekend for us, with the volume of people that the Dragon Boat Festival brings with it.
“We have missed some of the summer trade with the work going on, but we now have a chance to gain that money back with events like the Dragon Boat Festival and Saltaire Festival.
Last-minute preparations ahead of the pub’s re-opening (Image: Newsquest)
“The phone has been ringing constantly for the last two days. People wanted to know when we’re open.
“We’re also expecting a busy winter this year.”
The pub’s outdoor area is a popular haunt for visitors to the park, particularly during the summer months.
The riverside inn, which dates back to 1870, was originally built by mill magnate Sir Titus Salt as a boathouse for his workers’ leisure.
It fell victim to the Boxing Day 2015 floods and closed so refurbishment work could be carried out.
The pub finally reopened in July 2016. It needed a full refit after rising water levels submerged Roberts Park and surrounding areas.
No food will be served at the bar on June 29 or 30, but it will be available from Saturday, July 1.
The Boathouse Inn bar will be open Monday to Sunday between 11am and 10pm, while food will be served at the pub each day from 11am to 8pm.
