ONE of Hexham’s best-known pubs is in line for a major investment.

The Coach and Horses could see an investment of around £300,000, as community pub company Admiral Taverns looks to give the Priestpopple hostelry a significant boost.

Admiral Taverns’ recruitment executive Ceri Radford said: “We’ve been toying with the idea of doing an investment at the Coach and Horses for a while now, and we’re now at the stage where we want to do it.

“We have around 850 pubs and we’re very community focused; we invest in pubs when we see a fantastic opportunity like the Coach.

“We’re looking to do a whole internal and external renovation, including improving the kitchen and the beer garden, as well as improving the guest rooms.”

The company is looking for someone new to take on the Coach and Horses, with current landlady Yvonne Youngs moving to the Tap and Spile, which reopened last week.

The Battle Hill pub had been closed since June 19, after the former proprietors chose to walk away.

Yvonne explained that Ei Publican Partnership’s commitment to refurbish the historic pub was behind her decision to take it over.

Yvonne said: “We’re going to be at the Coach for a few more weeks, but the owners want to go more upmarket, and we’re more traditional, so I agreed to move out of my lease.

“Then the Tap became available; my brother Keith made some inquiries and they offered us a good deal.

“They’re going to refurbish it and put en-suites in all the guest rooms. We’re going to do food as well. The staff are coming with us and they’re going to look after the bar while I focus on the kitchen.”

A spokesperson from the Ei Publican Partnerships said: “We’re delighted to confirm that the Tap and Spile, Hexham reopened on August 3 with local publicans Yvonne and Keith Youngs at the helm.

“The pair, who also run the Coach and Horses, Hexham, look forward to welcoming guests new and old.”

The Tap had a quiet reopening last weekend, but a party to celebrate is planned once the renovations are complete.