Droylsden pub Strawberry Gardens set to reopen after £240,000 makeover

A much-loved community pub in Droylsden is set to reopen this week after a £240,000 refurbishment and change of management.

The new-look Strawberry Gardens, located on Moorside Road, will reopen on Thursday 27 April, with a big celebration planned for the opening weekend. There will be entertainment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, such as live music and karaoke. Inside, a new bar has been installed, along with new furniture and fittings. The outdoor seating area has also had a massive transformation, which includes new flooring and huts that can be used all year round.

The new operators, Kristian Smith and Joanne Wilson, have not previously worked in the hospitality industry, but have experience running a business in the local area as owners of the Happybox children’s entertainment business. The pub is part of Proper Pubs, the community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, which has more than 165 pubs across England, Wales and Scotland.

What can we expect from the new Strawberry Gardens?

A whole range of drinks will be available behind the bar and there will be regular offers, such as Wine Wednesdays, where customers can get £2 off a bottle of wine and Fizz Friday, where you can get a bottle of bubbly for £10. There will also be cocktail, shot and bottle offers on throughout the week.

On the entertainment front, the newly-renovated pub will be hosting quiz nights, DJ sets and sports screenings. The pub has a full sports package, including Sky Sports and horse racing.

Community is also another important factor for the family-friendly Strawberry Gardens. The new owners plan to host charity events throughout the year, raising money for local causes. One of their first goals is to fundraise to get a defibrillator installed at the pub. Elsewhere, they are also planning to host a Droylsden Christmas Market.

What do the new owners say?

Joanne Wilson, operator of the Strawberry Gardens, is excited about the reopening and said: “The pub looks fantastic, and we can’t believe the transformation. We are excited to get behind the bar, meet all our customers and support our local community. We’ll be starting by collecting food for a local food bank, as well as donations to get a defibrillator installed for the community. Pubs are the hub of their community, and we can’t wait to be the hub of Droylsden.”

Matthew Gurney, operations director for Proper Pubs, said: “I’m really excited about the opening of the Strawberry Gardens. The team have worked hard on the refurbishment, and we’re just finalising the finishing touches, ready to open in just under a week. On behalf of the Proper Pubs team, we would like to wish our community heroes, Kristian and Joanne, every success for the future in making the Strawberry Gardens a fantastic hub of the community”.