A much-loved pub in Pudsey is set to reopen its doors next week following a £370,000 refurbishment.
The Bankhouse, found overlooking scenic views of Fulneck and Troydale on Bankhouse Lane, has been part of the town’s life for many years.
The pub closed its doors in January 2020, sparking questions over its future.
Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars has now transformed the pub and welcomed new licensee Richard Thewlis, who runs The Railway at Drighlington.
The Bankhouse will reopen on Monday, February 13, at 11.30am for drinks.
The food menu will be available from Monday, February 20.
Growing up in Roberttown, near Liversedge, Richard spent a lot of his childhood in West Riding pubs run by his parents.
He transformed the fortunes of The Railway when he took it over in 2008.
Luke Morton, manager of The Railway, will now help Richard run The Bankhouse.
The refurbishment has created 20 new jobs.
Richard said: “The majority of the team come from Pudsey, which will help give the pub a great community feel.
“The Bankhouse has had a great reputation in the past. My aim has been to restore it to its former glory and make it a pub that the community can be proud of once again.
"People have been desperate for The Bankhouse to reopen, and there’s been a terrific amount of interest from local residents throughout the building work. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. I can’t thank them enough.”
New food and drinks menu
The trained chef is making freshly prepared food a focal point.
The menu will feature pub classics like sausages & mash, fish & chips, burgers and Sunday roasts.
Comfort food will be a specialty, with dishes such as slow roast short ribs and braised brisket & pickled pepper suet pudding.
The desserts range includes steamed treacle sponge, rum and bread and butter pudding and gluten-free molten white chocolate melt-in-the-middle pudding.
Dishes will be made from scratch using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Richard said: “I’m following in my parents’ footsteps. When I was growing up, all the meals in their pubs were homemade. It’s labour intensive but makes for really delicious food.”
With many passing walkers and cyclists, The Bankhouse will serve barista-quality coffee, hot and iced drinks and handmade cakes.
Drinks and cakes to go – or 'cakeaway' as the pub calls it – will also be available.
It is a dog-friendly bar with water bowls for four-legged friends.
Cask enthusiasts will have a choice of four cask ales on tap including Theakston Best Bitter, Theakston Summit, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and a constantly changing guest ale.
The pub's new look
The work has fully renovated the exterior of the stone-built pub, bringing out all its charm and installing new signage and lighting.
The overgrown outside space has been turned into a 180-seater garden with festoon lighting and new planting.
The internal revamp has retained the pub’s character whilst upgrading it throughout.
Original features such as the fireplace, flagstone floors and wood paneling have been retained and complemented by a new décor incorporating heritage colours and leather-covered banquette seating.
Attractive pieces of old furniture from the pub’s former days have been lovingly restored – barrel-shaped bar stools, for example, have been beautifully reupholstered.
Richard said: “I’m overwhelmed by how fantastic The Bankhouse looks – it’s better than I ever imagined.
"It has kept its lovely country feel but gained a few contemporary twists from finishes like the fabrics. The garden is gorgeous, too. The whole team is really excited. We can’t wait to open the doors and show people their ‘new look’ pub.”
Jon Kelly, area manager for Star Pubs & Bars, said: “We’re delighted to have joined forces with Richard to bring The Bankhouse back to life – it’s beautiful inside and out.
"Richard is committed to delivering great service and fantastic food and drink, and Pudsey is in for a treat with him at the helm. We wish him all the best."
Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk or contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.
You can also call us on 01274 705292.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel