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The Boat House at Parkgate in Newton is set to reopen this month, following a £1.5m refurbishment, according to the Liverpool Echo. The 176-year-old pub overlooking the Dee Estuary has been transformed.
The Hydes Brewery venue, located at the end of The Parade, closed on Monday, 2 March, to undergo extensive structural work. The project has delivered a complete roof replacement, a new bar area, an orange-coloured extension, upgraded bathrooms, and a second upstairs bar built specifically for new rooftop dining and drinking experiences.
Taking charge of the reopened pub is general manager Dale Tozer, 60, originally from New Zealand but a Heswall resident for more than two decades. His career spans three decades in hospitality, including a twenty-year tenure with Mitchells & Butlers, managing several premium country pubs. There is also a new head chef, Chris Bell, who moves to the venue after three years as senior sous chef at Hydes' sister site, The Harry Beswick in Heswall.
Dale has previously held general manager positions at the Anchor Inn in Irby, the Devon Doorway in Heswall, and the Cheshire Cat in Christleton, each for four-year stints. After leaving Mitchells & Butlers, he worked briefly at Heswall Golf Club before joining The Boat House.
In a statement, Dale said: "The Boat House has always been a jewel of the Wirral, but this refurbishment takes it to an entirely new level".
The pub's redesigned interior draws inspiration from the Dee Estuary, pairing terracotta tones with local coastal bird themes inspired by the neighbouring RSPB nature reserve. Artwork throughout nods to Parkgate's history as a Victorian bathing resort.
The reopening is expected to generate new life for the old pub. 25 hospitality roles will be created through the grand rebrand, including kitchen staff and front-of-house.
But don't worry, the pub will continue to serve its signature dishes, including the treacle-baked ham, stuffed peppers, and the beloved roast.
After three months of closure, The riverside pub is expected to open in mid-June in time for the summer sunshine, although an exact open date isn't confirmed yet.
