Marston's flagship pub is back in business
Marston's flagship pub in Wolverhampton has opened again for business after undergoing a £150,000 refurbishment that has created a dozen new jobs.
The Clarendon Hotel, on Brewery Road in Chapel Ash, has been given a major makeover in the space of just over three weeks,
The 'brewery tap', whose history can be traced back to 1849, is situated just 200m metres away from the beer-producing site that has been Marston's headquarters since 1875.
It was bought by the old Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries in 1896 from Burton's Brindley Brewery and the billiards room upstairs was the company's board room for many years.
The pub's etched glass windows and other old features, including the fireplaces, have been retained in the revamp.
New drinks on draught include Marston's Pearl Jet stout, Wychwood Kingstar and German lager Warsteiner. A host of new bottles are also available.
The food and cocktail menus have been completely revamped, with staff called in for thorough training to implement the changes.
The outside area has also been revamped since the venue closed its doors on October 2 and a new history of Banks's area has been created inside with a video screen.
A laser concealed in a barrel outside projects the Banks's logo on to the pavement in front of the pub.
Steve Castle, area operations manager for Marston's, said: "The Clarendon has undergone a fantastic refurbishment and is now a great pub to showcase all of Marston's great products.
"The style and layout of the pub is something that is unique to both Wolverhampton and also Marston's pub estate, with no other being the same."
He added it would be used to trial new beers being launched by the group's seven breweries.
Regional operations manager Matt Dunn believes the refurbishment of the Clarendon was important for the wider Chapel Ash area, too.
He said: "It is right next to Banks's Brewery, our visitor centre and Marston's new headquarters, so it needs to be our showpiece pub.
"It will show everything Marston's has to offer and showcase our new products."
Marston's are also keen for the Clarendon to be very much a community pub and get clubs and organisations using its two upstairs function rooms.
Manager Mark Hodgkiss has been with Marston's for 15 years and has spent a year at the Clarendon.
He's launched a 10 per cent off scheme for Wolves fans on match days, if they have their season or match tickets with them.
An open evening for Marston's staff was held on Tuesday and the 'new' Clarendon will be officially launched tonight, with former Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray the special guest.
Retired shot-stopper Murray, 35, is there from 7pm to 9pm. He will talk about his time at Molineux and his current career as a Sky Sports football pundit during a speech.
Music will then come from all-rounders the Replicas, who promise to provide songs from the 1960s to today. Admission is free.
The pub is open at 11.30am each day, except for weekend Wolves match days with an early kick off, when it opends at 10am. It will be open until 12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
