A popular Whitehaven pub is being given a major overhaul after being shut for more than two years.

The Waterfront pub on the harbour will revert to its old name of The Royal Standard when it re-opens as a sports bar on Monday.

The pub is now owned by Admiral Taverns – a national community pub group – while Chloe Rafferty, from Workington, is taking over the day-to-day running of the business as licensee.

The 28-year-old previously ran Chasers in Workington and got the job before the coronavirus pandemic started.

She said: “I’ve had this job for 18 months and haven’t worked yet! It’s completely different to any pub I’ve been in.

“I’ve been on a countdown. Now the refurb is nearly complete and we’re definitely open on Monday, I’m more excited now.”

The pub has been given a makeover with a nautical theme and a small beer garden has been created at the back.

Sports including football, rugby and boxing will be shown and there is a pool table and darts board.

Old pictures are displayed on the wall of when sailors used to stop off at the pub for a drink.

Mayor of Whitehaven, Brian O’Kane, will officially open the venue on Monday, along with John Baker, CEO of the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners.

Mr O’Kane said he welcomed the opening of a new business in the town.

The venue has a long history of catering to drinkers and diners and used to hold a mariners’ licence to cater to sailors who arrived with the tide at all times of the day and night.

The Royal Standard name had been used for the building from 1847 until it was changed to The Waterfront in 2005.

First mention of the pub in 1787 shows it was then known as the Black’s Head; in 1826 it was The Schooner and in 1829, the New Lighthouse Inn.

For a short period, in 1860 it became the British Standard but then reverted to the Royal Standard.v