Abandoned local gets new lease of life

An abandoned Black Country pub, which has been closed for three years, has re-opened its doors to the public following a seven-month refurbishment project.

New owner Louise Carroll, aged 39, bought the derelict Old Bush Revived pub, in Powke Lane, Blackheath, in April and has now transformed it to create a new, two-room pub.

It used to have three rooms downstairs, but a wall was removed, a new colour scheme installed, new doors fitted and the kitchen extended in preparation for its opening night on Friday.

Louise has also taken on six new full-time and part-time staff and is confident the pub is now entering a successful new era. "I am bringing the traditional, welcoming pub back into Blackheath," she said.

"We are aiming to give people good beer, good food, and a great atmosphere."

Louise, who previously ran The Fountain Inn in Tipton for 10 years, decided to buy the Old Bush Revived because she wanted to progress from being a leaseholder to outright owner.

But she added that she was also keen to move back into the area where she was born. She grew up in the now defunct Grange pub in Hanover Road, only one mile from her new location, and said it was "fantastic" to be back.

Louise added that her family, who have been involved in the pub trade for more than 15 years, had been very helpful in carrying out much of the repair work and she hoped many of the pub's old regulars would now come back through the doors.

"Customers have said they can't believe what we have done with the place and they have said they are going to tell their friends," she said.

"People are also familiar with my family, who have owned pubs round here for years and years, so this is my first venture but family recognition should help."