Home from home pub has real pulling power

Gone are the days when people just popped to their local for a quick pint – now a Black Country pub is about to become the first in the country where people can have parcels delivered or catch up on their emails on in-house computers.

The Red Lion in Wednesfield has closed its doors for a £200,000 transformation into the country's first 'Local pub'. Manager Gary Eddington said he wanted to create a home from home for customers and return to the time when pubs were at the centre of a community.

It comes at a time when pubs are facing their toughest ever challenge, with 50 a week closing across the country due to rising costs and fewer punters.

Owner Stonegate Pub Company is hoping to create a string of 'Local pub' across the country.

The Red Lion, on Amos Lane, will reopen at 6pm on April 27. Its revamp will include new décor, carpets and furniture throughout. There will also be new TV screens, a stage with cutting-edge lights and cameras and an interactive camera-linked darts board.

Mr Eddington said: "The Red Lion is to be the very first of a new breed of Local pubs across the country for the pub's owners Stonegate Pub Company.

"The aim is to create a pub that is the heart and soul of the community, somewhere for customers to meet and make friends, enjoy a bite to eat and drink and have fun and be entertained. But aside from that, we hope to be home from home for many, by providing wifi, having a dedicated PC for customers to use and even be a delivery point for parcels during times when are customers aren't at home."

The refurbishment will be marked with a red-carpet party on April 27. The following day, the celebrations continue with a bouncy castle and musical tribute act.