Heineken-owned Star Pubs and the Discovery Group are overhauling the County Hotel on North Berwick’s High Street.
The Discovery Group operates eight hotels and pubs across Scotland’s Central Belt, including four in Edinburgh.
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An £850,000 ($1.17m) investment will transform the venue, which has been closed since summer 2019, into a family and dog-friendly destination.
The County Hotel, believed to have been a post house since 1815, will be renamed the Law and will contain two bars, a restaurant, a function space, 11 ensuite rooms, and a large garden. The venue is expected to reopen by early September 2025, creating 25 jobs.
Exterior renovations will refresh the Category C listed building with dark green paint and new signage. The overgrown rear courtyard will become a stylish 100-seater garden with smart furniture.
Internal works will revamp the entire building to a high standard. The ground floor will feature a new bar with exposed brickwork and decorative tiles. A former stable will become a second bar with a pizza oven, overlooking the garden.
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By GlobalDataThe upper floors will house a restaurant and 11 letting rooms. The Law will serve fresh, locally sourced food, from breakfast to dinner, with seasonal dishes.
The menu will include seafood specialties and a children’s menu. Drinks will range from barista coffee and real ales to premium wines and whiskies.
The refurbishment is part of Star Pubs’ £40m investment in upgrading pubs in 2025. This includes £4.5m allocated for Scotland.
Discovery Group director Steven Winton stated: “We’re thrilled to have found another venue in North Berwick, especially one that is so prominent. People have been concerned about the County Hotel’s future and there’s lots of excitement about the plans for it.
“The town has a real sense of community and residents are very supportive. We want to bring out all the County Hotel’s potential and add to the diverse range of independently run hospitality businesses and shops that help make North Berwick such a special place.”
