New! £430,000 refurbishment of closed Harrogate pub set to begin

Ground is set to be broken at Muckles on West Park, with the major refurbishment of the pub by owners, Star Pubs & Bars, scheduled to begin next Monday (January 28.)

It's a new chapter for the pub with new licensee, Harrogate born John Quinlan.

Mr Quinlan said: “I drank in Muckles in my younger days and never dreamt it would be mine. It’s a lovely building but it needs love and attention. I’m looking forward to bringing it back to life and creating somewhere people can enjoy five-star service and great food and drink in a relaxed environment whatever the occasion, whether it's a coffee or drinks with friends, Saturday brunch or a special celebration.

“Harrogate is known for its eating and drinking scene. I feel fortunate to have found a pub in such a brilliant location with Yorkshire produced veg and meat, which are some of the best in the UK, on the doorstep.”

The company say Muckles is to be 'transformed into a stylish contemporary pub,' with work to restore the protected building, alongside enlarging the windows, new signage and lighting. A new cafe seating area on the pavement outside the pub is also to be introduced.

They added that Inside, 'the tired Eighties décor' will be replaced with a stripped-back contemporary look retaining the pub’s beautiful wooden bar and featuring exposed brickwork, reclaimed parquet flooring and comfortable leather seating. The project will refit the kitchen and create a downstairs dining area as well an upstairs private dining room with views over the Stray.

The menu will use local produce and focus on classic favourites with a modern twist. Home-made bar snacks will also be on offer.

To mark the the new direction of the pub it will be renamed 'Three's A Crowd', and is expected to re-open in mid-March. They say it will also create 15 new jobs.

Comments Gary Corney, Star Pubs & Bars operations director, “We are delighted to be working with John to give such a high-profile pub a new lease of life. I’ve every confidence that his expertise and exciting plans combined with Lee Murdoch’s culinary talent will make Three’s A Crowd a welcome addition to Harrogate.”