Public Urban Bars readies fourth site

Public Urban Bars is commencing an £800,000 refurbishment of The Victoria in Rainhill with Star Pubs & Bars.

Public Urban Bars is commencing an £800,000 refurbishment of The Victoria in Rainhill with Star Pubs & Bars, which will convert the pub into its fourth Cookhouse Pub & Carvery site.

The revamped venue – Public Urban Bar’s fourth pub with Star – will open in early October, creating 40 new jobs.

It will feature all-day food, a function room with an entertainment programme and a large garden complete with a children’s play area. The Victoria will be renamed the Cookhouse Pub & Carvery to mark its new direction.

“The Cookhouse model has proved resilient during the pandemic," says Public Urban Bars co-founder Colin Stuart. "Trade picked up over night when we came out of lockdown. We aim to have something for everyone and give local residents great food, drinks and entertainment on their doorsteps, so they don’t need to travel. With people choosing to stay local, our pubs are busy.

“The pace and extent of our expansion will be determined by the availability of sites that are right for the brand but we can easily see growing to a group of 10 Cookhouses."

Outside work will renovate and repaint the pub, adding new lighting, planting and signage at the front to enhance the centre of Rainhill. The garden will be landscaped to provide al fresco drinking and dining for 200 customers, a heated covered pergola and an enclosed adventure playground.

The inside of the pub will receive a total makeover, too, opening it up and making it more contemporary. New bi-fold doors and windows at the back and side will bring light flooding in and give customers views over the garden.

Public Urban Bars has further Cookhouses at Prestatyn, Liverpool and Widnes. The company is now planning expansion of the brand across the north west and north.


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