The Goodrest Tavern in Worcester to reopen after makeover

The Goodrest Tavern on Barker Street will welcome the community back through its doors after a major £178,000 makeover.

Part of the refurbishment involved installing a large beer garden and improving its dart boards, pool tables, and skittle alley. 

Craig Davis will be at the helm and hopes to bring his 15 years of industry experience and local knowledge to the watering hole. 

Matthew Gurney, operations director for Proper Pubs—the group the pub is under—said Mr Davis is a community hero and passionate operator who wants to keep the pub in the heart of Worcester.

The Goodrest Tavern on Barker Street, Worcester is set to have an official reopening. (Image: The Goodrest Tavern) Mr Gurney said: “I’m really excited about the reopening of The Goodrest Tavern, and especially to welcome Craig back as the operator.

"I can’t believe how fantastic the pub is looking already and we’re just working on those final touches ahead of reopening.

On behalf of the Proper Pubs team, we would like to wish our community hero, Craig, every inch of success for the future in making The Goodrest Tavern a fantastic hub of the community.” 

The Goodrest Tavern will officially reopen tomorrow (September 19) with live performances from local artists across the weekend.

Mike Skilbeck will kick off the occasion at 6.45pm tomorrow, leading to performances from Chris Farr at 8.30pm on Friday, a DJ set from Vinyl Ritchie on Saturday, and finally Becky Rok from 4pm on Sunday.

The pub plans to continue supporting the local community in any way it can.

It will start by collecting food for a local food bank and fundraising to install a lifesaving defibrillator.  

Mr Davis hopes to run a series of fundraising events for meaningful causes to the local community, particularly those that help people with disabilities and is open to suggestions from customers with great causes in mind.

He also prepares to run a busy entertainment schedule, including regular live music, quiz nights, and bingo.

It will also host regular pool and darts teams for the more competitive visitors to enjoy.