The Estcourt Arms pub reopens to the delight of punters

The Estcourt Arms was boarded up from November 19 last year until it relaunched on June 21, with a fresh look and new management.

Landlady Marion Buckley said they have received a warm welcome from customers in the first two months of business.

The Estcourt Arms reopened in June. (Image: Newsquest) “The locals missed the pub terribly when it was closed down,” she said. “But now they’ve said the pub is really picking up well, they’re delighted it’s back.

“In the first two or three weeks, people didn’t know it was even open but now it’s picking up gradually.”

The new management has organised music nights outside every Friday, and Marion said the garden was “completely full” for the special edition on bank holiday Sunday.

Estcourt Arms barman Joey McGrath. (Image: Newsquest) She described the atmosphere as “very homely”, adding: “They say that I’m the mum to everyone, in the last pub we had years ago they used to call me Mother Teresa!”

Marion felt customers appreciated the revamp, which saw them replace old chairs which were “falling to pieces”, give the interior a refresh with new posters and repaint the tables in the beer garden.

Inside the revamped pub. (Image: Star Pubs & Bars) The kitchen also received a deep clean and they are looking to serve cooked food eventually, although they will stick to offering free snacks at the bar for the immediate future. 

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The closure last November was met with sadness from locals as the landlords announced a three-day leaving party.

Inside the revamped pub. (Image: Star Pubs & Bars)

The previous management explained on social media that “situations behind the scenes being out of our hands” and personal reasons made now “the right time for us to step away from the bar”.

“We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support, love and friendship and for making the last few years here so good,” the message said.

The pub while it was boarded up. (Image: Stephen Danzig) It continued: “We do know whoever eventually takes over has the most amazing customers already and I hope they look after you all as much as you have looked after us.”

Operator Star Pubs & Bars then made changes to the site and began a search for a new operator to take over in January.