THIS traditional pub in the heart of the city has certainly undergone a dramatic metamorphosis, emerging from its chrysalis of scaffolding to reveal a new creature altogether.
For anyone who visited has visited The Saracen's Head in The Tything in Worcester in its previous incarnation, entering the courtyard and the pub itself may be a little disorientating to begin with.
The pub is strange and yet familiar at the same time - like meeting an old friend who has had extensive cosmetic surgery and has emerged from the procedure more radiant than ever, flaunting a new air of confidence.
Taken over by Black Country Ales (which also runs The Imperial Tavern in the city's St Nicholas Street), the refurbishment means this old favourite has undergone something of a renaissance.
For a start, the courtyard area is now covered in artificial grass, softening the hard stone surfaces and, one imagines, protecting customers from any mishaps, whether alcohol-related or otherwise.
An extension juts out into this outdoor area (to accommodate the new bar), always one of the pub's most popular draws in the summer months.
Inside, a glance towards the old bar which was on the left as you entered, is now taken up with seating. Meanwhile, the new bar is on the opposite side, a far larger and grander affair with a big mirror at the back.
The pub, which reopened to the public on May 16 (having closed last November), now extends all the way through to the back of the building rather than occupying the more intimate bar space that existed before. This creates a sense of depth and space within.
Toilets are now inside when customers had previously had to walk out to the back of the pub through the courtyard. Yet, for all that has changed, much has been retained at the grade II listed building and more traditional features kept at the pub which dates from 1800 according to Historic England.
Indeed, the painted signs on the external walls of the pub echo those in old photos of the building, on display inside, suggesting a return to tradition rather than some act of iconoclasm.
The skittle alley and function room is still there (complete with a new bar area). There are six skittles teams already. Work has even revealed a hidden water pump location for the well which has been adopted as a novel architectural feature.
Nick King, 42, and wife Lisa, 39, run the pub - an experienced hand, he ran the Orange Tree in Hereford, winning accolades from CAMRA.
The father-of-two said: "Some people thought Black Country Ales were going to take the character away. It's totally the opposite. The water pump was boarded up. It's the location of the water pump from the well. That's going to stay there."
Even the extension is sympathetic to the original design and Mr King said, if anything, the pub has 'gone back to its roots'. Old doors and hinges have been retained and 'the character has been kept', said the new landlord.
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Mr King said of initial reactions to the new look: "People love it. They love how it's so open. There are no segregated rooms. I want people to walk in and feel they can have a nice comfortable drink and not worry about any trouble.
"People are looking through the window first then they come in and have a nose. Then they have one drink. Then they stay for five or six. Anyone is welcome. They just have to respect the place."
Mr King described the pub as a 'real ale house' serving Black Country Ales favourites like Pig on the Wall, BFG (Bradley's Finest Gold) and Fireside Bitter. In total they serve four of these Black Country Ales, six guest ales and two real ciders as well as lagers, wines and spirits.
The pub offers bar snacks including cobs, pork pies, scotch eggs and crisps. Mr King said the family team is still settling in but would be exploring the direction in which the pub would be going, whether quizzes or live music.
The function room may be available free of charge to certain groups and charities at specific times so as to foster a community feel.
"We allow charities to come in and use the room for free," he said.
The hope is that the pub can support good causes in the county, including St Richard's Hospice.
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