Stafford's Picture House pub set to reopen almost a year after devastating floods

The Wetherspoon pub is reopening on Tuesday at 8am, following an extensive refurbishment and restoration project, costing £700,000.

The Mayor of Stafford Councillor Gareth Jones and Mayoress Renee Robinson, together with Stafford’s town crier Peter Taunton, will attend the official ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am.

The refurbishment work, which has also included the full restoration of the historic plaster ceiling, took place after a devastating flood forced the pub closure in October 2019.

An additional 45 full and part-time jobs have been created at The Picture House, which is managed by Jem Turner.

The pub, a Grade II listed former theatre and cinema building in Bridge Street, which first opened as a Wetherspoon in March 1997, has undergone a complete refurbishment throughout.

The flood in October 2019 caused extensive damage, as the waters washed over the height of the bar.

The site has been completely stripped back, with a new kitchen, cellar and toilet facilities installed.

Balcony

A new feature bar now stands in place of the old one, with new finishes, complete internal redecoration has been completed, with new lighting and furniture added throughout the pub.

In addition to refurbishing the flood-damaged areas, the ceiling has been carefully restored. This can now be enjoyed by all from the original theatre balcony, which has been opened up for customer use.

Stairs have been fitted, where they once would have stood, with new carpet and dining seating. The balcony area offers an additional experience, overlooking the auditorium bar and theatre screen.

Externally, plasterwork to the front façade of the building has been repaired and decorated.

The historic, original stained-glass Picture House canopy has also been restored by specialists.

Pub manager Jem Turner said: “Wetherspoon has spent £700,000 on the pub, providing further substantial investment into the area, as well as creating new jobs for local people.

“Myself and my team will look forward to welcoming customers back into The Picture House and we are confident that they will be impressed by the new-look pub and the fantastic restoration work.”