Posted By: Editor
October 14, 2024
Bullers Arms, Brixham to close for a month for £200,000 revamp
Buller’s Arms, Brixham, closes at end of service on 15th October for a major £200,000 revamp by Star Pubs, Heineken’s pub business1, and its new licensee, local pub operator Kevin Lang. The family and dog friendly sports and entertainment pub will reopen mid-November in time for Brixham Lights & Lanterns and for the festive season.
Kevin, who also has The Blue Anchor in Brixham, took on the Buller’s Arms at the end of April on a temporary basis and has given it a new lease of life. It was unloved, in a poor state and had little appeal to local residents and visitors. In the six months that Kevin has run it, he’s tidied it up, introduced standards, a pool table and TVs, regular food, and made it more welcoming. He’s also created seven jobs with three more planned once the pub reopens. Locals are now back in force.
Funds are being spent on a sympathetic top-to-toe redecoration of the dated interior. Seating in the bar area will increase from nine to 16. The look and feel will be traditional with a nautical feel on the left-hand side with oars on the wall, wall mounted lamps and a mix of freestanding and fixed seating. The right-hand side of the bar will have high leather and machinist style stools with a boat mural on the roof girder by local artist Toni Knight. This area of the bar will also celebrate local sports with framed team shirts on display.
The lounge area will continue the maritime theme with nautical pictures, wallpaper and panelling and a mix of free standing and fixed furniture.
The pool table and darts are being retained and four 75-inch TVs will ensure live sports can be seen from anywhere in the pub.
Externally, The Buller’s Arms is being given a complete makeover, redecorated in a smart blue with white windows. New lighting and timber effect signage complete the look.
Food at the Buller’s Arms will be good quality pub classics done to a high standard with meat sourced from the local butcher and fish from the fish market. The menu will include steak, burgers, ribs and fish dishes. There will also be monthly themed supper nights featuring Mexican, Indian and Chinese food.
The drinks on offer will include a wide selection of gins, Cruz Campo, Fosters, Heineken, Moretti, Inch’s and Guinness, as well as wines and two hand pulls for local Devon and Cornish ales.
Kevin’s plans are for Bullers Arms to focus on sports and live entertainment. Unlike other pubs in town, it is large enough to host bands. There will be live music every Friday with other activities including karaoke, music quiz nights, discos, raffles, bingo and board game nights. During the winter there will also be retro games console nights.
Says Kevin: “I’m a local lad, born and bred in Brixham. The Bullers Arms means a lot to me. It was the first pub I drank in legally and it’s where I met my wife. Before taking on Bullers Arms I would walk past it and be saddened to see it either closed or little used as 30 years ago it was the place to go.
“The town has lost a number of pubs over the years, and I didn’t want that happening to the Bullers Arms so when the lease came up I leapt at the opportunity. I want it to be a proper pub, somewhere importantly that locals can enjoy in the winter months especially. I also care massively about Brixham. I want the town centre to be vibrant year-round and to work with other publicans to help make it so. I am also sponsoring the local football, cricket and rugby clubs.
“I am looking forward to creating a great pub for all the community that everyone can enjoy including families. Bullers Arms is the only town centre pub that allows children. We’ll be celebrating its reopening on Saturday 16th with popular local band, Nothing But Mammals playing from 9pm. It should be a great evening.”
Says Star Pubs Business Development Manager Seb Benton: “We are delighted to be co-investing with Kevin to create a lovely comfortable great quality town centre pub for all seasons. He has already done a great job with Bullers Arms, as he knows what customers want. Kevin is passionate about the pub and the community he grew up in. The investment will take Bullers Arms to the next level and ensure it is somewhere Brixham residents can be proud of.”
