First look inside refurbished North Derbyshire pub as it gears up to reopen revamped beer garden

A Chesterfield pub team admit they cannot wait to show off their new look – after taking advantage of lockdown to completely refurbish the venue.
The Kelstedge is gearing up to reopen its outdoora areas on Monday, April 12.The Kelstedge is gearing up to reopen its outdoora areas on Monday, April 12.
The Kelstedge is gearing up to reopen its outdoora areas on Monday, April 12.

Helen Marshall manager of The Kelstedge, Matlock Road, Kelstedge, said they had made “the best of a bad situation” to transform the pub after it was forced to close by national coronavirus restrictions – and everyone involved is excited to reopen.

The 28-year-old, who has worked at the pub for two years, said: “During the first lockdown, we ripped everything out of the pub, the flooring, the bar etc.

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“We have a small family room, we ripped the ceiling down in there to expose some lovely old beams.

How the pub used to look before its internal and external refurbishment.How the pub used to look before its internal and external refurbishment.
How the pub used to look before its internal and external refurbishment.

“Outside, we have had some new seating areas and covers over new benches.

“We have made the best of a bad situation.”

Miss Marshall, who helps run the pub alongside landlords Simon and Sylvia Oxspring and head chef Sophie Barrett, said the work needed doing.

She said the Oxsprings had owned the pub for 20 years, but had various tenants in charge over the years, each who put their own, different stamp on the place, before the landlords took control themselves two years ago.

The Kelstedge will reopen its outdoor areas on Monday, April 12, in line with the easing of Government coronavirus restrictions.The Kelstedge will reopen its outdoor areas on Monday, April 12, in line with the easing of Government coronavirus restrictions.
The Kelstedge will reopen its outdoor areas on Monday, April 12, in line with the easing of Government coronavirus restrictions.
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“It was time to redevelop it,” she said. “However, we wouldn’t have been able to do it if we were open – we’re open seven days a week, lunchtime and evening.”

The pub has been offering takeaways at weekends over lockdown, but Miss Marshall admitted it had been a tough year.

"I don’t think you’ll find a pub or restaurant that hasn’t found it tough.

"The support we have had from the community is fantastic, they feel for us.

The cosy pub interior.The cosy pub interior.
The cosy pub interior.
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Now they are excited to open the outside area on Monday, April 12, as lockdown restrictions ease, before opening the inside area as soon as they are allowed.

Miss Marshall said: “We’re quite a close-knit community, so we get a lot of regulars walking past, wanting to stop and ask whats going on. They can’t wait to come back.

“We can’t wait to reopen.”

Read More
Regulars chip in to build Chesterfield pub a beer garden
The inside of the pub has been gutted and refurbished.The inside of the pub has been gutted and refurbished.
The inside of the pub has been gutted and refurbished.

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