Boat-builders pull a pint to renovated pub

A COMPANY which was originally established as a boat-builder has opened a canal-side pub.

Calder Valley Marine has acquired and renovated The Legger's Inn in Dewsbury in a move which the company hopes will attract tourists, walkers, cyclists and boat users to the area.

Based at Savile Town Wharf on the Calder and Hebble Navigation and established in 1996, the company helped to regenerate Savile Town Wharf, Apperley Bridge Marina and Gallows Bridge Marina, both near Bradford.

The work at The Legger's Inn was funded by Lloyds TSB Commercial.

The renovated pub first opened as a public house in 1896 and will employ a team of 16 staff to sell traditional ales and food.

Gordon Lambert, managing director of Calder Valley Marine, believes the launch of the redeveloped pub will take turnover to £1.5m.

Mr Lambert said: “When the opportunity to renovate the pub came up, we knew it would be the perfect next step in Savile Town Wharf's regeneration and would be a great way to attract visitors to a historic Yorkshire waterway.

“The launch was a big success and it was great to see key members of the local community turn out to offer their support for the drive to increase tourism.”

Steve Midgley, relationship manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: “Yorkshire's growing popularity as a tourist destination has benefited the region's cities and National Parks enormously, and Calder Valley Marine is now using its passion and expertise to redevelop a number of canal side districts as modern leisure destinations.

“We have a strong relationship with the team and were able to quickly take the decision to put in place facilities to support both their latest and any future ventures.”