New start for Hull's Timber Dock pub after drug raid closure
A POPULAR family pub is set to reopen after being closed for months following a major drugs bust.
The Timber Dock pub in Victoria Dock estate in east Hull has undergone a £1.3 million makeover and is now called The Goldcrest.
It will invite locals for a preview on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, before opening to the public on Monday.
Owners Marston's has ploughed money into revamping the pub, which has been welcomed by residents.
Gordon Rasen, chairman of the Victoria Dock Residents' Association, said: "I have been in several times to see how the refurbishment is getting on and it is looking very smart.
"I am very pleased with what I have seen so far and it looks very good.
"They have also sorted the car park, which was badly affected by subsidence.
"After what happened, Marston's is trying to change the pub's whole ethos.
"The pub closed due to the actions of half a dozen people.
"But it will be nice to have a local pub back again and a lot of money has been spent.
"Some people believe there should be big screens to show sport, but I think it's difficult to see where they have gone wrong with the refurbishment.
"Everyone is very positive and excited about the opening."
Mr Rasen would have preferred a different name and there was talk about naming the pub The Citadel.
He said: "There has been talk of calling it The Citadel but I think they had already gone too far with changing the name.
"If Marston's had known sooner, they may have listened to us."
The pub has been extended to seat 180 people and now has a new children's internal and external play area, as well as a patio area seating 50 people. As a result, 30 jobs have been created at the pub which will also serve food all day.
New managers Tony and Donna Hill have nearly 20 years' experience in the pub trade in Hull, having spent ten years running the Three John Scotts in the city centre.
Tony said: "I am looking forward to the opening.
"Food is our main focus and we have play areas inside and out. We are very much focusing on families.
"Pubs are at the heart of every community and our pub is no different. We would be delighted if all of our local neighbours could join us for a drink to toast the pub's re-opening."
The pub will celebrate its opening on Monday by playing host to the three times' world champion and Britain's loudest town crier Michael Wood between noon and 4pm.
20 Comments
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by dontwo
Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:09AM
“Cant polish a **** Tony.”
by Leanne1002
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:54AM
“Look, they want to make a new image for this place which is family friendly meals, it is NOT intended as a pub that you can go in in your scruff (which, would you go home and sit on your sofa in your mucky work gear? No, then why should it be accepted here?) and have a booze up with the lads (or lasses), it is a place were people can go to, expect a nice friendly atmosphere and sit down with their families to a nice meal and a couple of drinks, which is exactly what we've had the 2 times we've been in so far. They were very helpful to a large party and even though they weren't taking bookings yet they were kind enough to allow us as we really wanted to make sure we could all sample the place. And good job we did as it was packed!! Well done so far Tony and Donna and all the friendly staff, we look forward to seeing more of you and don't take any notice of the miserys that simply don't like change!”
by eddierex
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 9:07PM
“@Ann236
i dont care what you people think. it works for me!!”
by Ann236
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 8:57PM
“Ah EddieRex, I remember you when you mystery shopped banks. You came in twice and we had to pretend that we didn't know who you were!”
by eddierex
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 3:59PM
“@emma09
obviously mystery shoppers are needed here!!!”
by emma09
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 3:48PM
“leave this pub alone if you are a working man, went in today and asked not to sit on the seats cause i was in work wear would not mind but is a pub and they obviously want to turn away very good custom, went to old local (the mill holderness road, was meet by landlord(george) and welcomed as usual and more then welcome to sit down, used timber dock for year on a regular occerance, never again. people discriminate against colour and creed and now if you actually work for a living and not in an office, if i was on dole would have been fine TAKING THE MICK COMES TO MIND”
by eddierex
Monday, February 20 2012, 2:36PM
“i used to mystery shop the three jon scotts when tony was landlord and he always looked a very sad man.”
by Haroldbish
Sunday, February 19 2012, 7:34PM
“A local pub, which by the looks of things only does food, and doesn't show live sports? What's all that about? I was looking forward to my local place reopening, now I'm nothing short of disgusted. This isn't a pub, it's a **** take.”
by Haroldbish
Sunday, February 19 2012, 7:34PM
“A local pub, which by the looks of things only does food, and doesn't show live sports? What's all that about? I was looking forward to my local place reopening, now I'm nothing short of disgusted. This isn't a pub, it's a **** take.”
by Haroldbish
Sunday, February 19 2012, 7:27PM
“A local pub, which by the looks of things only does food, and doesn't show live sports? What's all that about? I was looking forward to my local place reopening, now I'm nothing short of disgusted. This isn't a pub, it's a **** take.”