Words: John Baron
Iconic Pudsey pub The Bankhouse is set for a major refurbishment, according to owners Star Inns.
The popular pub, off Bankhouse Lane, overlooks Fulneck Valley and has been without a landlord since the previous leaseholders left in January 2020.
While Star Inns is still advertising online for an experienced food operator to run The Bankhouse and become its new landlord, it has revealed plans for an investment of over £224,000 to re-open following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Internal refurbishment work includes new furniture, redecoration, refurbishment of seating area, new floor finishes, refurbishment of feature fire space, new kitchen layout and improved toilets.
External work includes new entrance doors from the beer garden, new feature benches and oak pole lighting, with new landscaping/planting in the garden.
Star Inns say on their website:
“An extensive refurbishment will significantly enhance the potential of this countrystyle pub in the market town of Pudsey.
“Food will be a cornerstone of the new offering, building upon the pub’s existing foodie reputation. All the building blocks are there for an incoming licensee to make the most of this fantastic opportunity
“The Bankhouse will appeal to most customer groups across its different occasions, but a key target group will be the affluent older market looking for a trip out for a great lunch or an
afternoon tea.
“The evening offer will also target younger couples, more mature professional couples and families from the local area who are willing to pay that bit extra for a great-quality evening meal with premium drinks.”
Star Inns says whoever takes over The Bankhouse will need to pay more than £53,000 in ‘ingoing’ costs and pay £49,500 in annual rent.
Further details on leasing the pub here.
The White Horse is available
The traditional White Horse pub, on Hough Side Road, is also looking for new leaseholders.
A description of the boozer on FindMyPub.com said:
“The White Horse stands in a very prominent position on the main road in the suburb of Pudsey. It has good kerb appeal and is a local landmark, easy walking distance from the main street of Pudsey.
“The pub is very much a local’s pub and needs to offer sports/games/entertainment. The White Horse is a traditional pub and each area makes the pub feel very cosy. Internally there is one bar serving four different drinking areas. The current trading style is 100% wet. There is not a catering kitchen on-site, although there is a possible opportunity to convert an area into a kitchen, with investment.”
Ingoing cost is £10,000, with an annual rent of £18,000. More details here.
Last month WLD reported Bojangles, on Lowtown, was also on the market for £1.2 million.
Two years down the line and still nothing happened with the place.. And the story comes up again how Star Inns are going to spend £220,000 on the place. (Feb 2022). And to take over the place, before you pull the first pint, you are having to fork out over a hundred thousand for the privilege. I can see them queueing to take it on (Not!)