St George & Dragon set for major makeover

The popular Saint George & Dragon pub in Exeter, part of the Vintage Inns group, will be given a new lease of life this spring thanks to a £400K refurbishment and stunning makeover.

The Saint George & Dragon, on Exmouth road, is set to undergo a major renovation to both its bar and dining area.

The exciting overhaul will see the pub temporarily close on Monday 27th March to allow for works to begin, before re-opening on Saturday 1st April.

The 21 bedroom Inn Keeper’s Lodge hotel, which is attached to the pub, will also be given a complete facelift as part of the refurbishment, closing at the beginning of March and reopening to eager travellers on Monday 3rd April.

At the centre of the 400K refurbishment will be a full interior makeover, complete with new furnishings, furniture and lighting throughout. Each room will offer additional seating positioned around three roaring open fires – making it the perfect spot to enjoy a quiet drink, or dine with friends. Keeping in touch with the pub, the Inn Keeper’s Lodge hotel will also benefit from brand new furniture and furnishings, and stunning new artwork for every room which depicts South Devon and some of its best beauty spots.

Newly appointed General Manager, Lesley Hughes, has relocated from Dorset and brings with her a wealth of experience in the catering and hospitality industry.

Lesley boasts several ‘Vintage Inns General Manager of the Year’ awards, and recently joined the team to over-see the exciting refurbishment. She comments: “The whole team is eager to get the new era here at the St George & Dragon underway, and with the new look comes a renewed focus on providing great customer service and top quality food – that’s why all our staff are participating in training sessions, to build team spirit centred around guest experience.

“Whether you’re planning to pop by for a drink, or enjoy a sit down meal with family and friends, the new and improved surroundings will provide guests with a brighter and more contemporary feel, but which still makes the most of the pub’s rich history and traditional features. With open log fires, plenty of rustic charm, and a great selection of regional cask ales including Doom Bar, Atlantic and local Otter bitter, as well as fine wines to choose from – we can accommodate all tastes.”

To celebrate, locals will be invited to check out their new pub at an exclusive, VIP launch event on Thursday 6th April between 6.00pm and 8.00pm.
Guests will have the opportunity to sample mini canapés from the pub’s menu, plus to help toast the celebrations in style each guest will receive a free glass of Prosecco on arrival.

With the spring menu now in place including popular dishes like seared fillet of sea bass, Cornish kiln-smoked bacon rib and the slow cooked lamb shank, guests can enjoy hearty pub food with a seasonal twist. Kitchen manager, Oliver Davis, who has 3 years’ experience under his belt, says: “Our renewed focus on customer satisfaction starts at the heart of the pub – its grub! Our chef’s passion is second to none so guests can be sure that when they visit the Saint George & Dragon they’ll be served the very best freshly-prepared ingredients, enjoy great variety and choice, and all cooked to our highest quality standards.”

Dating back to the 19th Century, the Saint George & Dragon originally comprised a brew house, skittle alley, garden stables, outbuildings and a three-acre arable field. By the 1920's, the pub was one of the leading roadhouses in the county, described as "the most unique inn in Devon."

If you would like to attend the special VIP launch event on Thursday 6th April, please register your interest and RSVP by emailing Lesley at The Saint Gorge & Dragon: stgeorgeanddragonexeter@vintageinn.co.uk.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis, so please get in touch as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

For more details visit: http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/south-west/thesaintgeorgeanddrag...