WORK started this week on a £220,000 refurbishment of a pub in Carlisle.

The St Nicholas Arms, on London Road, has been shut for 18 months. It will re-open in June with an alfresco area.

Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars is investing in the pub, which will be run by Alison Mitchell. The refurbishment is expected to take five weeks and will create six jobs.

Outside work will carefully renovate and restore the Grade II-listed building and add new signage and lighting. A café-style area will be created at the front with seating for up to 40, a covered pagoda and pretty planting.

The pub’s landmark listed tree will be covered with white lights, which light up at night to make it a feature of the neighbourhood.

The St Nicholas’ interior will be redecorated and refurnished in keeping with the building’s architecture, making it more comfortable and stylish. A kitchen refit will enable the launch of an all-day bistro-style menu. Dishes will be freshly prepared and ingredients locally sourced wherever possible. A Sunday Roast is set to be a feature.

A barista-quality coffee machine is also being installed and a new range of cocktails, spirits and wines introduced.

Alison is aiming to put The St Nicholas Arms on the map for sports and entertainment, too. The St Nicholas Arms will have a dedicated games area complete with a pool table and darts board and high definition screens and Sky Sports are being installed.

Alison is reinstating the pub’s darts and pool teams and bringing in activities such as quiz nights and live music. She said: “I’ve known The St Nicholas Arms all my life but never dreamed I’d run it one day. It’s one of the loveliest looking pubs in Carlisle and the refurbishment will make it even more beautiful.

“I want to bring it back to life, broaden its appeal and open it up for all sorts of occasions; whether it’s morning coffee or evening cocktails, sharing snacks or a special meal with friends, or just having a good night out.

“Many of the pub’s former regulars have told me they can’t wait to get back to the pub and I certainly can’t wait to get started and open the doors again.”

Gary Corney, Star Pubs & Bars operations director, said: “Alison is a highly experienced and well-respected licensee and we’re pleased to be working with her to revive The St Nicholas’ fortunes.”