Welcome back! Refurbishment of the Bay Horse, Worsthorne starts

There’s good news for residents of Worsthorne and Burnley as a whole.  A major refurbishment of The Bay Horse starts on Monday with the pub due to open mid-July following a lengthy period of closure.

The £500,000 investment in The Bay Horse is being undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and the Hightown Pub Company Ltd owned by Chris and Jon Nevin.  The intention is to create a great village pub for the whole area to enjoy and with 30new jobsbeing created on the back of the changes that will provide many career opportunities. 

The investment will transform the appearance of the front of the pub and return it to a standard the village can be proud of. To the rear, the courtyard is being given a stunning new look with a choice of covered dining options. As a sun trap in the summer and a heated and covered outside space for those cold and wet days too, it will be a great option for villagers, dog lovers and visitors to area. With the many outdoor activities that the area provides, this will be a great spot to finish a walk or just relax into the day with great quality fresh food and a wide range of premium beers, wines and spirits.

Inside, The Bay Horse is being given a completely new look and feel, whilst retaining some of its traditional country pub features. The new design of the interior will include wooden paneling, new limestone floors, an open fire and lots of new features to create a premium feel.  A state-of-the-art commercial kitchen is being installed to allow the pub to offer locally sourced and freshly prepared food.  The whole pub is being opened up to create a light more spacious environment providing plenty of room to sit and eat or drink.  Upstairs a new function/private dining space is being added, providing room for leisure and business gatherings. 

Local produce will be used throughout the menu.  The pub will be open for weekend brunch from 10am and food will be available from 12pm till late evening daily. A freshly prepared Sunday lunch with all the trimmings will complete the week and the private dining upstairs will allow bigger family get-togethers to start again in style after a long time apart. The menu will feature dishes ranging from fresh fish and mussels, our own signature ribs, burgers and steaks, to a selection of vegetarian, gluten free and vegan options. A full range of coffee choices and fully stacked hot chocolates will be available to enjoy at the pub or to take away on walks, rides or treks. 

For those getting together for drinks there will be a selected wine list, craft beers, premium lagers, as well as an extensive range of gins, both local and the familiar. 

The Bay Horse is the company’s second pub, the first being the popular The Golden Lion in Rainford.  Chris has over 20 years’ experience in the pub industry including relaunching many successful pubs and new hotels.

Chris Nevin said of their plans: “When we first saw The Bay Horse, we could immediately see its potential.  We want to provide the village and the wider area with a pub that has something for everyone looking for fresh food in an environment that matches the quality of the food and drink, whether popping in for lunch or dinner or just drinks at the weekend.  We’re creating a fantastic pub offering excellent service, lovely

surroundings and great food and drink. It’s all about doing simple things well.

“Whatever the reason to visit, you’ll find a warm welcome from our experienced manager, AimeeOllerenshaw and her team.”  

Chris Newsham, Star Pubs & Bars Business Development Manager said: “The Bay Horse is a great pub in a fantastic village. It is sad it has been closed for so long, but it was important that the right operators with vision take it forward.  We’re delighted that Chris and Jon are taking on the pub and wish them well with their plans.  They make a strong team and have done a fantastic job with The Golden Lion in spite of the Pandemic. I’m sure with the new management they have installed at The Bay Horse, it will become a great village inn that will attract people from the surrounding area.

“Heineken is a passionate supporter of the great British pub. This investment will take The Bay Horse to a new level and ensure it stands out from other pubs in the area.”