This East Lothian pub given 'new lease of life' with six-figure revamp
A total of £425,000 has been invested in The Seaglass Inn in Port Seton – formerly The Wemyss Hotel – which has been revamped by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and its new licensees – mother-and-daughter team Christine O’Brien and Sarah Couch.
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Hide AdThe overhaul is billed as turning the former "little-used, tired" local into a quality, family-friendly pub - given a "stylish, contemporary" look, creating an outdoor area, adding BT and Sky Sports, and installing a kitchen. A new drinks selection ranging from barista coffee to craft beer and cocktails has been introduced, as well as freshly prepared food. Ingredients are locally sourced, and dishes include home-made steak pie and pan-fried sea bass with salsa.
O’Brien – who grew up in Prestonpans and also runs The New Plough Inn at Tranent – said: “The pub looks beautiful, and [customers] can’t believe the transformation. They love the new design and ambience and having a family-friendly pub that caters for all in Port Seton.
"We’re seeing a real mix of ages and people who never visited the pub before: groups of ladies for prosecco; guys watching the football and families enjoying a meal out. The community has backed us right from the early planning stages, and we’re very grateful for their support.”
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Hide AdEast Lothian MP Martin Whitfield and MSP Iain Gray visited the site, with Whitfield stating: “It’s great to see such major investment in an East Lothian pub and new jobs created. The Seaglass Inn is a welcome addition to the area for local residents and another attraction for visitors to the county’s coast.”
Gray said: “Good pubs play an important social role as hubs for the communities they serve. With so many people moving into this part of East Lothian, it’s good news to see a local pub given a new lease of life.”
Also commenting was Star Pubs & Bars area manager Jeremy Williams, who said The Seaglass Inn has had a good reception "and is proving a popular meeting place for the whole community and those from further afield". He added: "Christine and Sarah are passionate about giving Port Seton a pub it can be proud of, and we wish them every success.”
The pub’s refurbishment is part of Star Pubs & Bars’ £4 million investment programme for Scotland’s pubs in 2019.