A York pub has revealed the new look that sparked a big backlash.
The Roman Bath reopened today (Tuesday) in its new guise as a sports bar.
Owners the Stonegate Group invested a six figure sum in turning the pub, on St Sampson’s Square, into its Craft Union brand.
The pub now has several large screen TVs showing different sports. Its bar has been repositioned, the decor updated, and new furniture brought in.
An electronic dartboard has also been installed.
The old decor which reflected the Roman theme has gone, as has a mini-display of ancient artefacts in a wall nook. The pub gets its name from the Roman bath house discovered underneath the foundations when the present pub was being constructed in 1929.
The Roman Bath had one of York’s longest-running licensees in Liam Fagan, who’d been in charge for 40 years.
But the Stonegate Group chose to not renew his lease this year.
When YorkMix first revealed the plans last October, manager Sharon Stinson told us that she and many regulars were dismayed.
She described the Roman Bath as a traditional locals pub, and said: “There’s plenty of sports bars in York. There’s only one Roman Bath.”
A petition to ‘Save The Roman Bath’ gained more than 8,000 signatures.
Sharon has since been made redundant by the company.
There were also fears the pub’s days as a live music venue were over. But in fact the bands are still playing at the pub on Friday nights – Mothers, Bang Bang and Black Marcs are the first three booked to play, with the pub open till 2am.
Owners the Stonegate Group said they have invested in “a brand-new state-of-the-art sound system, allowing for an even better live music experience at the pub”.
On YorkMix‘s visit on the first afternoon, the pub was already fairly full with people checking out the new look.
Stonegate Group said: “The pub is reopening with the goal of establishing itself as York’s ultimate destination for socialising, entertainment and sport, featuring four new HD televisions around the pub’s interior with a large outdoor HD TV installed to enjoy the sport in the sun.”
Tom Lakin, Operator of the Roman Bath, said: “All of us have spent so much time behind the scenes for the past few weeks making improvements to our pub, so it’s been great to welcome guests back to the pub to show off all our new features.
“We know the work completed has not only enhanced the warm and welcoming atmosphere here, but also strengthened the pub’s community spirit, all while keeping hold of the historical foundations that make the Roman Bath such a special pub.
“I’m particularly excited about our new sound system which will be available for all to hear throughout our reopening week with locals’ favourite, The Mothers, coming down to play a set for the ages.”
Weekly events include Tombola Tuesdays. On Wednesdays there are student deals, a quiz from 7.30pm and karaoke from 9pm.
A live DJ plays every Saturday night.