Town centre pub to go 'upmarket'

The Volunteer in Eastgate Street, Lewes, closed its doors on September 16 and all the tables and chairs were been taken out of the pub.

Shoppers and visitors to the town centre could be forgiven for thinking the pub has closed for good, and there are no notices to explain what has happened and builders have ripped out most of the fittings.

But Punch Taverns, the owner of the pub,said the pub will be given a 150,000 revamp and will be open again by the end of the year.

A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: 'The Volunteer is currently under a major refurbishment, which we hope will create a traditional, high quality dining pub.

'This refurbishment will involve temporary closure of the pub, but we will endeavour to complete the work as quickly as possible.

'We are hoping to reopen the pub at the beginning of December. '

The spokesman for the chain, which runs, leases or manages more than 8,400 pubs across the UK, said the plans for the inside of the building had not been finalised but she promised a 'more upmarket pub serving good quality food.'