The iconic Pier House Hotel in Charlestown, Cornwall, has re-opened its doors following a sensitive £380,000 refurbishment by St Austell Brewery to restore and modernise the stunning site at the heart of the Georgian harbour.
Having acquired the property in 2016, outline planning for the modernisation of the building was approved last year and, since closing at the end of January, an extensive work schedule has involved a reworking of existing bar areas and a new, extended bar at the core of the building, while dining areas, both internal and external, have been refurbished to allow for better accessibility throughout and to make best use of the floor space.
Mindful of the heritage of the building, much preparation work was undertaken to maintain the character of the hotel, which started life as a farmhouse on the harbour in the late 1800s.
St Austell Brewery retail director, Steve Worrall, said: “It is vital any alterations made to historic buildings balance the competing needs of respecting the past, whilst at the same time creating a space that will excite and engage our team and guests.
“The Pier House looks stunning now, inside and out, our team are delighted and I trust our guests will be too — I certainly believe we’ve struck that balance exactly right.”
Those sentiments were echoed by local residents, who were treated to a sneak preview of the results of the modernisation program at a special drinks reception prior to the re-opening.
Patrick Wharton, local resident and community watch officer, said: “I think the brewery has done a brilliant job in such a short time. It all looks fantastic.”
Project managed by St Austell Brewery’s Patrick Gribbin, together with Rebecca Groves from Cardiff-based Design Management Partnership, the works, which have entailed a complete re-working of the downstairs of the hotel, were completed to plan and to schedule, alongside a new, external terraced seating area to take advantage of the unparalleled harbourside location.
Patrick said: “We’re immensely proud of what we have achieved at the Pier House. By increasing the accessibility, we’ve opened up the site to many more people and allowed so much more opportunity for guests to appreciate the amazing views from the hotel. It’s probably true to say that this is our favourite project to date.”
Husband and wife management team, Rob and Lucy Brewer, have taken over the running of the hotel, following years of local experience at the helm of the Rashleigh Arms, just a few yards up the road, while existing hotel staff have also joined St Austell Brewery to ensure the continued success of the landmark venue.
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