A WELL-KNOWN Kirkby Lonsdale watering hole has been given a £270,000 makeover.

The Snooty Fox has been transformed and now features a new interior design, a courtyard area for alfresco dining and refurbished accommodation.

The Ledsham family, who are experienced and award-winning pub operators, have run The Snooty Fox for the past year and have been instrumental in planning and overseeing the refurbishment works.

The main pub area has been completely refurbished, with all listed building features, including the back bar panels, sympathetically retained and incorporated into the new stylish and chic design. New disabled toilet facilities have also been installed.

Tom Ledsham commented: "I’ve lived here all my life and when the opportunity arose to take on The Snooty Fox we jumped at it. We’ve worked to come up with a concept that will take it back to what it used to be – a welcoming community local for everyone in the area."

Tom will oversee the front-of-house operations alongside his brother Ollie. Tom and Ollie are passionate about quality drinks and will offer an extensive collection of 46 gins, 20 rums and many other premium spirits alongside a selection of quality beers, wines and soft drinks.

The refurbishment was done with the help of Ei Publican Partnerships.

Ei Publican Partnerships Regional Manager Mark Price said: "We use a ‘segmentation tool’ which helps us to identify what kind of pub local people want and need, and we found there was a gap for a quality but affordable venue in the area, which is what the Ledsham family were keen to provide. We’re absolutely delighted with its new look.

"The family is very well known in the area and they’re fantastic publicans so we’re very excited about the reopening and confident this will become a firm favourite for locals and visitors."

The Snooty Fox will open with a party on August 11 to raise money for charity. The event will include a raffle, live entertainment from a Jersey Boys tribute act and suppliers will attend to give a talk about the drinks on offer.