A HISTORIC city pub has a brand new sign as the scaffolding comes down ahead of its grand opening in under a week.
The Saracen’s Head in The Tything in Worcester is now taking shape with fresh signs and a new look as Black Country Ales gets it ready for the grand opening on Thursday.
The sign shows the head of a bearded man wearing a turban framed by two scimitar type swords.
Previously the sign showed a pair of swords crossed and an even earlier sign showed the head of a man wearing a turban in profile.
The pub will have a new side extension, toilets and an extended bar area with work underway inside.
Black Country Ales, which took over the pub last year, is planning to reopen the Grade II listed building to the public next month after the refurbishment and conservation work.
Graham Manwaring, managing director Black Country Ales, said: "Work is well underway on The Saracen’s Head, which is on track to open to the public on Thursday, May 16.
"We will be offering a cosy pub with real fires, freshly made cobs, local pork pies and scotch eggs.
"There will be up to 12 hand-pulled real ales and still cider available, with our own Black Country Ales brands taking at least three of the hand pulls, the remainder will be guest beers, that are sourced from brewers from all over the UK, these will change to a different cask ale each time a cask is emptied offering a variety that should suit most tastes.
"The appointed licensee, Nick King-Magee is currently running The Orange Tree in Hereford for Black Country Ales and has been promoted from within.
"This project has taken a little longer than we expected, and we are very excited that we now have a date to open and offer what we think will be a great pub which has been refurbished to a high standard, keeping as many of its original historical features, whilst making it a practical environment to operate for many years to come."
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These photos show work is proceeding apace at the pub - including a new logo on the side as scaffolding covers the entire frontage of the building.
Neighbours raised concerns that some of the Saracen’s Head’s original features would be ripped out and urged Black Country Ales to “respect the fabric of the building”.
The brewery responded by saying it was not in the habit of ruining pubs but “restoring pubs to their former glory and enabling them to carry on trading for a long time to come”, and promised to come back with updated plans.
Approving the plans for the Saracen’s Head, city planners said the amended proposals were “of a sensitive design” and incorporated some of the pub’s original features.
The Saracen’s Head closed in October after being bought by Black Country Ales and will reopen following the renovation work.
The owners have said features like the function room and skittle alley will remain, and while it won’t be a “food venue as such”, traditional bar snacks like cobs and pork pies will be available.
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