Halesowen pub set to come back bigger and better than ever after £135,000 revamp

The investment will provide The Bell & Bear on Gorsty Hill Road with additional bar space for drinking and socialising and an extended food menu of home-cooked food.

A second phase of works is planned to develop the garden behind the pub in the spring.

The project is being carried out by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and The Bell & Bear's new operators Chad Hudson, who also runs the  Loyal Lodge on Furnace Hill Road, and former managers David Clynshaw and Zoey Maycock. 

The trio banded together to prevent the pub from closing when the previous licensees retired last year.

Since then improvements have already included creating a glass-sided terrace with views over the countryside, installing a new commercial kitchen and bringing in barista-quality coffee sourced from a Halesowen roaster. 

The refurbishment will see the pub close after last orders on Saturday and re-open in late February.

It will see the outside of the pub painted in dark green and cream and new signage and lighting added. 

An unused part of the garden will be opened up in time for the summer complete with a children’s play area, seating for 120 people and an outside bar with a space for events and family fun days.

A sympathetic interior makeover will preserve the  rustic character and cosy charm, whilst making it more comfortable, welcoming and stylish. 

 David – who heads up the kitchen – is launching a new menu of freshly prepared pub classics, including existing customer favourites like Black Country faggots and Sunday roasts.

And a cellar revamp will install state-of-the-art dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints and a new range of flavoured spirits.

Chad said: "I’ve been a regular of The Bell & Bear for a long time and always loved the pub – it feels like a country inn although it’s in town.

"I couldn’t bear to see it close and neither could David or Zoey. Our aim is to unlock all its untapped potential and give the community a fantastic local with a family focus that has the best beer garden for miles around."

David, who has worked at and managed the pub since 2014, said:  “I love running The Bell & Bear and can’t ever imagine leaving. 

"We’re putting our all into the pub to make it even better – it’s our way of showing our gratitude for all the customer's support. 

"I feel very lucky to have a pub in Halesowen. I’ve never come across an area with so many great pubs; they really contribute to the town’s sense of community.”