Flood-hit pubs get makeover from leisure group

TWO Yorkshire pubs which were almost destroyed in last year’s Boxing Day floods are being refurbished.

The pubs, The Stubbing Wharf at Hebden Bridge and The Shoulder of Mutton at nearby Mytholmroyd have not reopened following the restoration work.

Leisure contractor Medlock FRB undertook the combined £200,000 redevelopments.

Both pubs are owned by Enterprise Inns and are run by tenant Matthew Browne, and were badly damaged when the floods in late 2015 when the River Calder burst its banks.

Mr Browne said: “The cellar at the Stubbing Wharf flooded first, then the pub itself. The water was 3ft deep in the pub and damaged floor joists, caused a wall to collapse and left a terrible mess.

“At The Shoulder of Mutton, the water came gushing through the pub like a river. It rose to be 5ft deep and devastated the pub.

“The work at both venues has been fantastic. They both look a lot better than before. We are relieved and delighted to back in business. Now we want to put this all behind us and look to the future.”

Medlock finance director Colin Drury said: “We’re delighted to have played our part in helping these popular pubs to reopen for business in the shortest time possible.

“Most of our work involves creating new venues for national leisure operators but these contracts provided the opportunity to restore well-established venues which were badly affected by the Boxing Day deluge.

“We wish Matthew and his staff every success at the new-look pubs.”