Iconic Midlands pub 'visited by Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots' to close for revamp
An iconic Midlands pub which is said to date back to Tudor times and rumoured to have been visited by Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots is closing its doors this week for a significant revamp.
The overhaul of The White Hart on Stone Cross, Penkridge is being undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Banx Pub Company, which operates the landmark pub.
A £150,000 refurbishment of the grade II-listed building will create a new interior and improved garden space, according to Insider Media.
Banx Pub Company general manager Jamie Newbold: "We're passionate about keeping the tradition of the great British pub alive by reviving unloved locals.
"We've been overwhelmed by the support we’ve had from the community in getting The White Hart back on track.
"We're pleased to be giving it the TLC it needs to thrive for many years to come."
The Banx Pub Company took over the running of The White Hart in February 2024 when it was struggling following four years without a long-term operator. It appointed Penkridge born-and-bred Marie Simmonds – a long-term customer who was working behind the bar – as the new licensee.
Simmonds said: "The White Hart has always been an important part of Penkridge, used by multiple generations of some local families and regulars who’ve been coming in for thirty or forty years.
"We don't serve food; it's a proper local known for its friendless and it's all down to the customers. They’re like one big family – everyone talks to each other and welcomes newcomers.
"Like many people I’d felt concerned to see The White Hart lose its way. I wanted to do anything I could to help secure its future – even if that meant becoming the licensee.
"Everyone is really excited by the plans for the pub. It's going to look stunning. We can't wait to open the doors again and show people their new-look local."
Andrew Myatt, Star Pubs' area manager for Staffordshire, added: "It's fantastic to see The White Hart back in stable, caring hands. It's one of the loveliest buildings in Penkridge.
"We're delighted to be investing in preserving its outside and transforming its inside to broaden its appeal and meet residents’ changing needs."
The White Hart will close after last orders on Sunday 23 March and reopen by Good Friday 18 April.