Listed Horley pub closes for refurbishment
12:25pm Wednesday 7th November 2012 in News
Horley’s Foresters pub has closed for ten days for a £160,000 refurbishment.
The listed building in Victoria Road, which was built in the early 1900s, closed after trading on Sunday.
It is set to re-open next Thursday (November 15) from 9pm.
The Foresters is owned and operated by the Stonegate Pub Company, the largest privately-held managed pub operator in the UK.
Kyle Henry, who has managed the Foresters for almost four years, said: “The Foresters is a lovely looking building and the designer’s plans are to work with the building and refurbish it sympathetically.”
Mr Henry said: “Already, work has begun on the outside of the building with the restoration of the wood boards, a fresh lick of paint and new signage.
“We’ll also be introducing new patio furniture at the front of the pub.
“Inside the Foresters we’ll be introducing a new colour scheme, new furniture and the addition of booth seating, as well as increasing the number of dining tables and chairs so people can enjoy a meal in a relaxing environment that is suited to dining as well as drinking.”
He continued: “We’ll also be increasing the number of cask ale hand pumps from three to five.
“Cask ale is very popular at the Foresters and we take pride in the care and condition of the real ale that we serve.”
The Foresters offers a number of beers from local breweries such as WJ King, Hammerpot and Dorking Brewery.
Mr Henry added: “It’s great that the Stonegate Pub Company, the business that owns and operates the Foresters, is investing in the town.
“It’s important that Horley remains a vibrant, busy town, and continued investment in the area is vital to attract more shoppers and visitors throughout the day.”
The pub has recently agreed a year-long sponsorship with both the men’s and ladies’ teams at Horley Hockey Club.
Mr Henry said: “Pubs have always been the life-blood of any community, whether as a place to celebrate with family and friends, a place to relax after a long week at work, or somewhere to catch up on all the news of the town.
“For us, it’s important to support local clubs and sports teams through either sponsorships or providing a place to catch up and discuss the match.
“We want to provide a pub that the residents and visitors of Horley are proud to call their local – somewhere they can visit and relax whatever the occasion.”