Design specialist restores historical community pub

A Warrington-based design business has unveiled its latest project in Stockport.

DV8 Designs has transformed the Jonny Sailor pub and restaurant in Davenport as part of a £650,000 scheme.

Built in 1895, the popular landmark pub has undergone a full interior refurbishment and external improvements, including an innovative Orangery extension with new feature roof lights and an improved external seating area.

This is the fourth major project that Almond Family Pubs has appointed DV8 Designs to complete and is the biggest yet.

The £650,000 build involved a full redesign and refurbishment of the existing site as a pub, with the addition of a large restaurant dining area and carvery.

The aim has been to restore the pub, situated in a protected conservation area, to its former glory, and reignite its
naval history and local narrative.

Almond Family Pubs has also introduced delicious new additions to its trademark food menu and service.

Spokesman James Almond said: “This has been a real passion project for us and we wanted to place this exciting redesign into the trusted hands of the DV8 Designs team.

“We are committed to giving local people their much-loved pub back, but better than ever. The Jolly Sailor is the heart of the community in this area and we wanted to restore it to former glory, and then some.

“Lee and the team have worked incredibly to design a sympathetic renovation that has retained the historical and welcoming surroundings of this much-loved pub, but now with eye-catching features and sumptuous seating.”

The new scheme focuses around the pub’s nautical name and link to the supposed ‘Jolly Sailor’, a well-respected admiral of the French revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, Sir Salusbury Pryce Humphreys.

In 1838 the Admiral found himself in the midst of a family dispute after he married into the estate and took on the Davenport name, challenging the succession and the rightful heir to the Davenport estate at Bramall Hall.

The completed design reveals eclectic light fittings with a nautical twist, panelled walls and feature fireplaces in rich colours and an array of aged leathers on antique studded armchairs.

The walls are adorned with aged photographs, eclectic historical artefacts and the secret finds of ancient mariners.

The Jolly Sailor

The new Orangery extension adds a softer touch to the masculine scheme with roof lights that allow natural light to flood in over mustard and jade green velvet fabrics, intricate patterns and dark, floral wallpapers.

“We were incredibly excited to work with Almond Family Pubs once again. They have a reputation for taking neglected, run down venues and transforming them into award-winning community restaurants and pubs,” said DV8 director Lee Birchall.

“Our vision was to restore the site’s colourful naval history and to retain its grand, traditional feel and Victorian touches, but also to innovate and step things up design-wise.

“This was a major project for us with internal and external alterations, planning considerations, external works and landscaping, along with full interior decoration.”