Pub popular with Leeds United fans to get £150k revamp ahead of new season

The Whistlestop pub, situated in Town Street, Beeston, will be refurbished later this month following a takeover by County Durham-based independent pub company Wear Inns.

The venue adds to the firm’s portfolio of 26 pubs in the North East and Yorkshire and will close ahead of a makeover on Monday June 20.

John Weir, managing director of Wear Inns, has pledged to improve on what is already a pub “which is very much part of the community” by installing a new kitchen to allow a wider range of food to be served, revamping its interior and making a feature of the outside patio area.

“Being so close to Elland Road and popular with Leeds fans, we will be concentrating heavily on sport with extra TVs and viewing facilities,” Mr Weir said.

“Our mantra is to provide great value, all day, every day and we look forward to welcoming regular and new customers to the Whistlestop.”

Weir Inns, which also owns pubs including Wetherby’s New Inn and Wakefield’s Red Lion, bought the Whistlestop from the Greene King pub company.

Following the planned refit, the new and improved pub will reopen to customers on Wednesday July 13.

Sharon Swift, an experienced community pub manager from Leeds, has been appointed to run the pub and is introducing a range of new products to the venue.

Simon Hall, from property firm Fleurets which oversaw the sale, said: “I have no doubt that the high standards of operation that Wear Inns have will be a real benefit to this already busy local.”

Leeds City Council’s Inner South Community Committee has described the takeover as “exciting news for one of our local pubs”.