The former Crown & Sceptre in Uxbridge, which was closed for two years, has reopened as a top-end traditional Irish pub called Whelans following a £400k refurbishment by Star Pubs & Bars and multiple operator, Whelans.
The pub interior has been designed to resemble a traditional Irish street scene with cabinetry creating shop fronts as a backdrop.
Whelans is open for breakfast and offers coffee and teas in the morning, light bites at lunch as well as food in the evening. The pub has a late license and will show Sky sport on nine screens and offer evening entertainment such as live bands and open mic nights.
Good wholesome pub food will be on offer, ranging from paninis, soup and sandwiches to Irish-influenced dishes such as Steak and Guinness pie, Irish Stew, Bacon and cabbage and a great Sunday roast.
Whelans is multiple operator, Austin Whelan’s fourth pub with Star Pubs & Bars and takes his predominantly Greater London estate to seven pubs.
The 1600 sq ft bar will be a flagship site for a new brand of high end Irish pubs which Whelan is creating, the first of which opened in Neasden in December with a further two anticipated in 2017.
Whelan said of his plans: “Whelans will be very different from the pastiche Irish theme bars which were commonplace in the 80s and 90s. This new incarnation of an Irish pub will represent the very best of Irish hospitality and offer a great atmosphere and top quality food and drink.”
“In Ireland working behind the bar is a four-year apprenticeship. You don’t get to pull a pint for your first 12 months. This level of professionalism and high standards will be core to our offer. It is an outlook the UK hospitality industry needs to embrace to attract good staff and customers.”
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs & Bars said: “We are pleased to have helped Austin create his showcase Whelans Irish pub, which now offers great quality food, drink and excellent service. Austin knows what would work in Uxbridge as he’s made a great success of another Star pub in the area, The Black Bull in Ruislip.”
