A pub in Oldham has unveiled its drastic makeover plans as its owner promises a raft of improvements to invite new customers to the establishment.

Paul Bowerman, the owner of the pub, said The White Hart in Royton has been in dire need of “some TLC” for some time.

As the former manager, Mr Bowerman said he was only able to take full ownership of the pub last December, during lockdown.

However, now that he has secured a five-year lease for the reigns of the pub, he has set himself the task of redesigning and refreshing the place.

He said part of his negotiations with the contract was for improvements to be made to the pub “to bring it to a better standard than it currently is".

Mr Bowerman added: “It does need some TLC if I’m honest, and that is one of the main facts I insisted on during negotiations.

“I understand that there has been short-term sightedness to this because obviously it’s been looked after a year at a time.

“So then me signing a five-year lease now allows me to see that there is scope for it to be improved and to invest money into it to improve the problem.”

The Oldham Times: The refresh goes beyond a lick of paint with plans for interior decorations, a refurbished kitchen and better decking in the beer garden all underway.The refresh goes beyond a lick of paint with plans for interior decorations, a refurbished kitchen and better decking in the beer garden all underway.

The new modern design was approved by Mr Bowerman just last week with works due to take place this autumn in September-October time over a period of five days.

Mr Bowerman hopes the new design will entice locals from across Royton and Oldham to the pub.

He said he hopes the design will "attract more clientele and (will) get passing traders to think that it’s a pub for them.

“It’s a warmer, welcoming sight from the outside.

“And just to make it a bit of a better customer experience.

“You can see yourself that it looks like a much better experience than it currently is.

"It does look a bit grotty at the minute but it just needs a bit of TLC - some much-needed TLC.

“It’s a good design. I’m very pleased with it”, he added.

The Oldham Times: The pub owner said The White Hart's current state looks a "bit grotty" but that it just needs some "TLC" to bring it back to life.The pub owner said The White Hart's current state looks a "bit grotty" but that it just needs some "TLC" to bring it back to life.

However, that’s not all the pub owner has planned as he said the exterior is just “part of a series of improvements" that are taking place at the pub.

“The decking has already been done and we’re looking at potentially adding internal decorations to be done as well so that it is a 'space to be desired'.

“The beer garden’s been cleaned up and decorated to be more pleasant, too.

“So this is just one part of a series of continual improvements.

“The kitchens are going to be refurbished as well as we hope to provide food in the future, all being well.”

The Oldham Times: Mr Bowerman said the beer garden has been refreshed as part of improvements to the pub.Mr Bowerman said the beer garden has been refreshed as part of improvements to the pub.

In a post on Facebook, a photograph of the design has been unveiled to the public.

Mr Bowerman said: “This is what the White Hart will be like once she’s had a makeover and the reaction has been very positive from most people saying that the design looks lovely, pleasant and is a welcoming sight.

“I’ve not received any bits of negativity about it, to be honest.”