Prestonpans: £100,000 refurbishment planned for The Railway Tavern

Investment in the exterior of The Railway Tavern, on High Street, along with a complete upgrade of the interior, is planned by landlord Star Pubs & Bars, which is seeking someone to lease the property before investment is made.

The pub remains open and operating under temporary management.

Star Pubs & Bars is part of Heineken UK and operates 2,400 pubs across the UK, leasing them out to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

A spokesperson said: “The Railway Tavern is in a prominent site on Prestonpans High Street and has the potential to be the best local drinks pub in the community.

“The condition of the building is deteriorating and therefore requires investment.

How The Railway Tavern currently looks

“Any refurbishment would be undertaken in partnership with a licensee and so is subject to the right partner taking on the pub.

“The interior of the pub will undergo a complete refurbishment, with a focus on upgrading the seating, flooring and lighting. The bar and gantry will also be refurbished and upgraded to create a modern and functional space for customers.

“In addition to the internal refurbishment, the pub’s exterior will also receive a makeover, with new signage and lighting that will add to the pub’s kerb appeal.

“This will make a significant impact on The Railway’s trade, as the updated exterior will help draw in more customers and make the pub stand out from its competitors.”

This drawing details plans for the pub's interior

DJ Johnston-Smith, chair of Prestonpans Community Council, said at a meeting of the group on Tuesday, that investment in the pub would be welcomed, but he was not optimistic.

He said: “There has been talk of a similar deal in the past – this has been going on for a while.

“We would, of course, welcome investment, but there doesn’t appear to have been much interest in the past.

“It would be good to have the pub refurbished.”

Star Pubs & Bars is seeking the right person or group to lease the property at an annual rent fee of £21,373.

The estimated annual turnover for the business is £283,148.

The spokesperson said: “The Railway Tavern pub has the potential to be a great investment opportunity for the right operator.

“The pub has 57 internal covers and a small number of external covers to the front and rear, providing ample space for customers to relax and socialise.

“To fully exploit the potential of this pub, it is essential to have an operator who understands and engages with the local community.

“By building relationships with local residents and businesses, the operator can create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that will encourage customers to return.”