The Pack Horse to Benefit From a Major Upgrade

The Pack Horse on Woodhouse Lane, Headingley, is closing at the end of service on 27th November for a major £300,000 revamp by a Yorkshire based pub operator and Heineken owned, Star Pubs & Bars.  The popular historic inn/local will reopen inside on 19th December in time for Christmas festivities with external works commencing in the new year.

The investment is designed to significantly improve the pub’s décor, broadening its appeal and building on its reputation for live music.  It will see original features reinstated as well as a stunning new beer garden created.

Inside, the sympathetic upgrade will see existing exposed brickwork retained and fires refurbished. New additions will include a rustic timber clad wall and tiled walls decorated with signwriting, clustered bric-a-brac and book shelves in alcoves. 

Outside, a striking iron archway and gates will lead into the beer garden which will have a Beavertown graffiti wall and a mix of booth and bench style tables.   Feature globe pendants, planting and festoon lighting will all add to the ambience.  If the pub gets council approval, there will also be a covered heated pergola with capacity for 100 and an outside bar.

The Pack Horse will serve a fabulous range of cask and craft ales and lagers, some sourced locally, along with other ‘on trend’ drinks such as gins, premium soft drinks and a great Low & No range.

Foodwise, there's the opportunity to offer street food in food trucks in the garden.  Different specialist caterers operating on a rotating residency basis offering burgers one day, followed by tacos and noodles.

Live music will be a major feature at The Pack Horse with bands continuing to play frequently in the pub’s upstairs function room.  The function room will have a dedicated bar and be for bands and local student societies to use.  

Says licensee Charlie Good: “The Pack Horse’s location opposite the university makes it an ideal haunt for students and those who love to watch live music. Despite its charm, however, it has over time become worn down. The refurbishment along with the introduction of all-day coffee, food offers, craft ales and a greatly improved beer garden will create a great new looking destination.  It will be the ideal place for students, locals and city centre workers to meet up or work from during the day and socialise in the evening.

“The garden is going to be amazing and a real draw as it will be the best in the area and offers a completely different vibe to what is available locally.

“Our manager Arjun and his team have done an amazing job working in this area with limited resources. I'm excited to see what they can do with a revitalised pub and with the opportunity to establish this venue as one of the best in the area.”

Says Jay Weir, Star Pubs & Bars area manager: “The new licensee and their manager Arjun are very experienced operators and are ideally suited for this site. Taking on the lease following an extensive upgrade of the pub means they can now introduce the changes needed to make the Packhorse a unique pub in the area, and a day time as well as an evening venue.”