Historic Melton pub reopens after stunning transformation
One of Melton Mowbray’s historic town centre pubs has reopened as a fine dining restaurant and bar three years after it closed.
More than £500,000 has been invested into the Burton Street building in a stunning transformation which also includes three short-let apartments upstairs.
There are high quality finishes everywhere you look in the restaurant and bar area with customers able to see into the newly-installed kitchen area.
Doors opened for the first time last Friday (December 12) and the new Noel’s Arms was fully booked.
Gary Bryan, who has owned the building since 2013, told the Melton Times: “It was quite an emotional day when we finally reopened because it was the culmination of three years hard work.
“It is great that people in the town and beyond are supporting us.”
The Noel’s Arms started out as a coaching inn back in the early 1800s and more recently it had a reputation for top live music.
Gary was keen to retain part of the building’s heritage in the work to refurbish the interiors.
"We stripped off 60 years of paint from the outside of the building,” he explained.
“No-one remembers that the outside used to look like this. It looks great.”
There are even special touches to remember a legendary former landlady of the pub, Janet Ling, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
A framed photo of Janet is hung near the bar and there is even a foot rail in tribute to her.
Gary said: “Janet was landlady from 1988 until 2013, she left a big mark on the building and its customers and I thought it was important to remember her.
"She used to shout ‘get off my foot rail!’ at anyone who dared step on it.”
There are four members of staff in the restaurant and bar and four in the kitchen, including head chef Luke McGowan and Front of House Manager Sean Richardson.
The menu features lots of local produce with the meat coming from Millie’s Meats, of Rotherby.
Luke, who has worked at a succession of top pub/restaurants including the old Red Lion at Stathern, said: “I would describe the experience here as relaxed fine dining.
"I’ve spoken to people in Melton who have worked in the trade and they say the town has needed a place like this to open up.”
On the food being served, the Noel’s Arms says on its website: “Our menu reflects the character of the region while celebrating outstanding ingredients from across the UK.
"From award-winning Colston Bassett Stilton to Hannan’s award-winning sugar pit bacon, Cornish day boat fish to heritage vegetables, every dish is crafted with produce from our trusted network of growers, suppliers and producers.
"Expect proper British flavours with creative touches, prepared with care and rooted in tradition.”
And on the importance of the heritage of the building, it adds: “From the original features we’ve uncovered to the relationships we’ve built with local producers, every detail honours what came before while looking firmly forward.”
Go to www.thenoelsarms.co.uk to book a table and find out more about the business.