A Morecambe pub famed for its iconic chieftain figure above the entrance has reopened after a six-figure upgrade.
The Chieftain on Pedder Street in Morecambe town centre, which closed for a refurb on November 4, reopened its doors at 10am today (Thursday November 28).
Decorative work inside the Chieftain has led to an increase in capacity by 14, while the previous fixed seating has been replaced with tables and chairs.
A new dedicated sports area has been added featuring three large HD TVs, alongside a new pool table and dartboard.
The outdoor drinking space has received a refresh with a new lick of paint and festoon lighting throughout, and there is a new blue signage scheme outside the front of the premises.
Licensees Kat and Tze Devine (below) will be holding a grand reopening event tomorrow (Friday November 29).
This will include music from Mark McKenna and Fuse, and DJ Kev. Singer Mark is due first on stage from 4pm.
On Saturday they will also be raising money for the Bay Veterans' Association, including a raffle with prizes, a chase the joker event and a number of brave locals will be braving the shave in the name of raising money to support Forces veterans in Morecambe.
This is part of Craft Union’s ‘Make it a Million’ campaign to raise £1m for local community causes across their network of over 600 pubs nationwide, with more than £700,000 already raised.
“We can’t wait to welcome guests back to our new-look pub with our reopening weekend events set to bring the community together for an unforgettable few days," said Tze.
“The Bay Veterans charity is a charity that means a lot to us all in Morecambe, so we are thrilled to see so much interest and passion in raising as much money as possible for the charity this Saturday.
“We know the work completed has not only enhanced our warm and welcoming atmosphere but also strengthened the pub's community spirit, which was at the heart of our thoughts during the investment.”
The Chieftain is now a Craft Union Pub and part of the Stonegate Group.
Here is the famous 'Chieftain' figurehead above the pub.
HISTORY OF THE CHIEFTAIN
The Chieftain Hotel was built in the 1850s.
The first recorded licensee was a Mr G Barrow from 1860-63.
Other licensees through the years, until the 1980s, included Mr J Elleray, Mr J Fletcher, Mr G Bently, Mr J Walmsley, Mr F Cummings, Mr D Daniels, Mr E Wilson, Mr J Benson, Mr B Edge and Mr D Fawcett.
This photo shows the Judge and Jury freemasons club outside The Chieftain Hotel.
The pub was bought by Yates's Castle Brewery at a public auction in 1911.
This photo of the Chieftain was taken in the early 20th century.
The famous figurehead above the pub was bought from the yards of T.W Ward (Shipbreakers) which was based in the Stone Jetty area of Morecambe Promenade until 1933.
It isn't clear if the figurehead came from a ship broken up at the yard or if it had been acquired by Wards.
Former licensee Bernard Shaw, who ran The Chieftain with his wife Linda for 30 years until 2014, found the figurehead among rubbish and rubble in the rear yard when he took over the pub in 1984. It was renovated and restored to its proper place above the front door.
Here is the pub pictured circa 1984/5, when it was a John Smiths premises.
From the 1980s, the Chieftain was renowned for its darts teams, and top class players including world champions John Lowe, Jocky Wilson, Phil Taylor and Dennis Priestley have all been through its doors.
Thank you to Bernard Shaw for providing us with the history and photos of the Chieftain for this article.
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