The Welly

20/10/2026

At Punch, we're proud to see young talent thrive across our pubs and support teams. From first jobs to leadership roles, remains one of the UK's greatest industries for developing skills, building confidence and creating rewarding careers.

That's why we're backing a hospitality-wide call to Government ahead of the Budget, championing the sector's ability to create jobs and opportunities for young people.

Hear Harry Bourne's story and why he's proud to support this message.

16/10/2026

🚨🍻 THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER… THE WELLINGTON IS BACK!!! 🍻🚨

🎉 TODAY IS THE DAY!!! 🎉

After 5 LONG weeks of renovations, hard work and a complete transformation… THE WELLINGTON INN 2.0 IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!! 🤩🔥

🚪 OUR DOORS SWING BACK OPEN TONIGHT AT 6PM! 🚪

We honestly CANNOT WAIT to welcome you all back through our doors and show you what we’ve been working on! 😍

And we’re not doing things by halves… we’re kicking off our GRAND REOPENING WEEKEND in STYLE! 🥳🍾

🎤 LIVE TONIGHT – EVE ETIENNE! 🎶

⏰ From 8pm, bringing you an incredible night of live vocals and entertainment!

🍕 AND GUESS WHAT… WE’VE GOT PIZZA!!! 🍕

Our BRAND NEW pizza menu has landed, and trust us, you’re going to want to give it a try! 🤤🔥

🍕 Pizza served EVERY DAY, 12PM – 9PM!
(Tonight from 6PM!)

💚 A brand new look!
🍻 The same great atmosphere!
🎶 Fantastic entertainment!
🍕 Delicious new food!
❤️ And the same warm Welly welcome!

NEW LOOK. NEW CHAPTER. SAME WELLY HEART! ❤️

So round up your mates, bring the family, get yourselves down and come see the NEW WELLINGTON INN!

We’ve missed you all… NOW LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!! 🥳🍻🔥

📍 The Wellington Inn, Prescot Road, Widnes

WHO’S COMING DOWN TONIGHT?! 👀🙌

14/10/2026

🚨🔥 2 DAYS TO GO!!! 🔥🚨

🍻 THE COUNTDOWN IS NEARLY OVER!!! 🍻

After 5 long weeks of renovations, hard work and a complete transformation… THE WELLINGTON INN 2.0 IS ALMOST HERE!!! 🤩💚

And WOW… we honestly cannot wait for you all to see what we’ve been working on! 👀🔥

We’ve got a fresh new look, a whole new atmosphere and we’re ready to bring the Welly back BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER! 💥

🎉 OUR GRAND OPENING WEEKEND! 🎉

🍻 FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER
🚪 Doors open from 6PM!
🎤 The incredible Eve Etienne LIVE from 9PM!

🍻 SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER
🚪 Doors open from 12PM!
🎧 DJ JAMIE bringing the party and keeping us going into the early hours! 🔥

We’ve put so much into giving the Welly the fresh start it deserves, and now it’s time to fill it with the people who make this pub what it is… YOU LOT! ❤️

WIDNES… ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEW WELLY?! 🍻🔥

🙌 JUST 2 MORE SLEEPS!!!

09/10/2026

🚨🍻 ONE WEEK TO GO… THE WELLY IS COMING BACK!!! 🍻🚨

IT’S FRIDAYYYYY!!! 🥳🎉

And that can only mean ONE THING…

🔥 WE ARE OFFICIALLY JUST 7 DAYS AWAY FROM OUR GRAND REOPENING!!! 🔥

YESSSS, YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT!!! 🤩

After 5 weeks of renovations, hard work, dust, noise and a WHOLE LOT of changes… THE WELLINGTON INN IS NEARLY BACK!!! 💚🍻

And WOW… what a facelift it’s had!!! 😍

We’re talking a completely fresh new look, a whole new atmosphere and a new chapter for our beloved Welly! 🏡✨

Honestly, we are absolutely BUZZING for you all to see what we’ve been keeping behind closed doors! 👀

🎉 OUR GRAND OPENING WEEKEND 🎉

🍻 FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER – FROM 6PM
🎤 The incredible Eve Etienne bringing you amazing live vocals!

🍻 SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER – FROM 12PM
🎧 Our very own DJ Jamie keeping the reopening celebrations going!

We’ve missed the laughter, the banter, the familiar faces and most importantly… YOU LOT!!! ❤️

This isn’t just a reopening… IT’S A WHOLE NEW ERA FOR THE WELLINGTON INN!!! 🔥

💬 WHO’S EXCITED?! AND WHO’S COMING DOWN TO SEE THE NEW WELLY?!

Get tagging your drinking buddies because in just ONE WEEK…

🍻 THE DOORS ARE OPEN, THE DRINKS ARE FLOWING AND THE WELLY IS BACK IN BUSINESS!!! 🍻

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!! ⏳🔥

07/10/2026

Britain’s pubs are worth up to £30 billion in wellbeing value to communities across the UK. But rising costs and high taxes are putting pressure on pubs that bring people together.

This Week of Action, join the campaign today and tell your MP to keep pubs open and pints affordable.

https://www.longlivethelocal.pub/letter 🍍

07/10/2026

🚨🍻 WE’RE NEARLY THERE… THE WELLY IS COMING BACK! 🍻🚨

Well… we’re officially HALFWAY THROUGH OUR FINAL WEEK OF RENOVATIONS! 🙌🔨

And honestly, we cannot wait for you all to see what we’ve done with the place! 👀😍

The pub looks completely different — and in the BEST possible way. A fresh new look, a fresh new feel and a brand-new start for The Wellington! ❤️🍻

👀 We know you’re all getting curious…

So we’ve added a few little pictures to this post to feed your curiosity and give you a sneak peek at some of the new colours, fabrics and finishes going into the pub! 😍

But trust us… we’re not giving too much away just yet! 🤫 You’ll have to come and see the full transformation for yourselves!

And NEXT WEEK… WE’RE BACK! 🎉🥂

🔥 OPENING WEEKEND 🔥

🎤 FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER — OPEN FROM 6PM
We’ve got the incredible Eve Etienne joining us with her amazing vocals to kick off our opening weekend! 🎶🎤

🎧 SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER — OPEN FROM 12PM
The celebrations continue with our very own DJ Jamie bringing the tunes and keeping the party going! 🕺💃🍻

After weeks of banging, drilling, plastering, painting and transforming… it’s nearly time to throw those doors back open and show you the NEW WELLINGTON! 🥳

We’ve missed having you all in and we’re SO ready to welcome you back! ❤️

👇 WHO’S LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT WE’VE DONE WITH THE PLACE?! 👀🍻

📍 The Wellington Inn, Widnes

25/09/2026

🚨🔨 WEEK THREE… DONE! 🔨🚨

And just like that… WE’VE ONLY GOT 2 WEEKS TO GO until we can finally throw those doors open and welcome you all back to the NEW & IMPROVED WELLINGTON INN! 🍻🔥🙌

Week three has been another BIG one and it’s really starting to come together now! 👀😍

🎨 We’ve got COLOUR on the ceilings!
🎱 The brand-new games room floor is IN and ready for those pool tables to make their return!
🔨 The transformation is continuing EVERYWHERE you look!

Every week we’re getting closer to seeing the finished Welly and we honestly cannot wait for you all to see what’s been happening behind those doors! 🤩

We’ve come a LONG way from everything being ripped out just a few weeks ago… and now you can really start to see the new pub taking shape! ❤️

⏳ 3 WEEKS DOWN…
🔥 2 WEEKS TO GO…
🍻 THEN THE WELLY IS BACK!

The countdown is officially ON! 🚀

WHO’S READY TO SEE THE NEW WELLINGTON?! 👀🍺🎱🎉

25/09/2026

Actress Daisy Edgar-Jones filmed 🎥 a promo for her new film, Sense and Sensibility in our Canonbury pub, The Marquess Tavern for Vogue 🥰

The team at Vogue were searching for a shooting location that oozes class, was timeless and in-keeping with the theme of the movie... so where else were they going to film?! 😏

Take a look at the promo - Daisy is in character as Elinor Dashwood throughout!

Sense and Sensibility hits cinemas TODAY! 🎬Why not pop into The Marquess Tavern to wash down your popcorn! 🍿🍷

!

22/09/2026

We're on board, are you?

Join thousands backing Britain's pubs and breweries.

www.longlivethelocal.pub ❤️🍺

22/09/2026

🎃👻 HALLOWEEN AT THE WELLINGTON INN! 👻🎃

The NEW Welly’s first Halloween is coming… and we’re going ALL OUT! 🕷️🦇

Join us Saturday 31st October from 8:30PM for our Halloween Fancy Dress Party! 💀🎉

Expect a night of DJ, music, fancy dress and plenty of Halloween madness right through the night! 🍻🎶

🏆 PRIZE FOR THE BEST DRESSED!
Think scary, funny, outrageous or completely over the top — the winner gets a BAR TAB! 🍺🍹

After five weeks of renovations, you’ll be partying inside the brand-new Wellington Inn… but for one night only, we’re turning the new Welly into something a little more sinister. 😈🎃

📅 Saturday 31st October
⏰ From 8:30PM
📍 The Wellington Inn, Widnes

Get those costumes sorted… the bigger, crazier and scarier the better! 🧟‍♀️🧛‍♂️

JOIN US IF YOU DARE… 🎃💀🕸️

21/09/2026

This pub is a gem! 💎

The Wig & Mitre in Lincoln's Cathedral Quarter has reopened following a £100k investment. ⛪

Anne-Marie and Paul Balcomb have taken on the 14th century pub... "We’re thrilled to take control of such an iconic pub and can’t wait to meet all of our wonderful guests" ❤️

📷 Courtesy of Tory McTernan

19/09/2026

🏗️✨ THE WELLINGTON INN – RENOVATION UPDATE: WEEK 2! ✨🏗️

We’re officially 2 WEEKS INTO THE RENOVATIONS… which means there are only 3 MORE WEEKS TO GO! 😱🍻

And WOW… there’s been a LOT going on this week! The Welly is looking very different right now — but it’s all starting to come together! 👀

🔨 One whole side of the pub currently has NO FLOOR AT ALL!
🔨 Brand-new ceilings have been installed
🔨 Loads of plastering has been completed
🚻 The toilets are being prepped ready for their FULL makeover
🌳 A brand-new, higher fence is going up around our b**r garden
✨ And plenty more happening behind the scenes!

We’ve also got our design pack, giving you a little sneak peek at the overall look and feel we’re working towards… and we honestly CAN’T WAIT for you all to see the finished Welly! 😍

It might look like a building site right now, but in just 3 WEEKS we’ll be getting ready to welcome you back into a completely refreshed Wellington Inn! ❤️🍺

Keep your eyes peeled… Week 3 update coming soon! 👀🔨

17/09/2026

Welcome to The Buck Inn 🦌

New Management Partner Adrian McShane-Chapman has taken over the Thornton-le-Dale pub following a whopping £490k investment 🤑

🗨️ “I arrived in the UK 22 years ago from Australia, armed with just a backpack and no real plan... I’ve dipped in and out of hospitality over that time but the fire inside me to run my own pub burned bright.” - Adrian

If you're in Yorkshire, pay Adrian and his team a visit and check out this stunning pub for yourselves. 🤩

15/09/2026

Rory takes the keys to the refurbished Cross Keys pub in Nottingham! 🗝️

Our new Management Partner Rory Calladine has taken the reins at the popular city centre pub following a £100,000 investment.

🗨️"I was instantly drawn to the pub and as soon I discovered it was available in a partnership with Punch, I jumped at the chance." 🍍

Regular guests at The Cross Keys will instantly notice the pub’s traditional feel and special characteristics have been retained throughout but that a complete refresh has taken place. 💫

11/09/2026

🚧🔨 WELLINGTON INN RENOVATION UPDATE — WEEK ONE! 🔨🚧

Well… WEEK ONE IS DONE! 🤩

There’s been banging, drilling, screwing… and some VERY questionable loud noises coming from the Welly this week! 😂👀

But what have they actually been up to?!

🛠️ WEEK ONE PROGRESS:

🚽 Male & female toilets — RIPPED OUT
🎱 Pool room — RIPPED OUT
🧹 All the old carpets — GONE
🌳 B**r garden fencing — RIPPED DOWN
🪵 Wooden floors — SANDED
🍺 Back bar — RIPPED OUT
💡 New light fittings — BEING INSTALLED
🏠 New roof — IN
🚺 All the tiles in the ladies’ toilets — RIPPED OUT
🔨 Wall cladding — REMOVED
🪑 Old furniture — GONE
🍻 Old b**r lines — RIPPED OUT ready for brand-new ones

…and that’s just some of what’s been happening! 👀🔥

The old Welly is disappearing FAST, and every day we’re getting closer to seeing the brand-new Wellington Inn come to life! ❤️🍻

It might look like absolute chaos at the minute… but just wait until you see what’s coming! 👀😍

I’ll bring you ANOTHER RENOVATION UPDATE NEXT WEEK so you can follow the transformation with us!

WEEK ONE ✅
BRING ON WEEK TWO! 🔨🚧🍻

11/09/2026

Wellington refurb is well and truly under way!

11/09/2026

We have reopened the Keyworth Tavern following a quarter-of-a-million refurbishment 🔥

The Keyworth pub in Nottingham, run by our Management Partner John Francis, had been closed for 5 weeks while we tore out the bar, stripped the pub back and replaced everything with new, modern furnishings. 🤩

Great work by everyone involved in the transformation 🥂

03/09/2026

We're quite fond of it too, Prime Minister! The Dog House

28/08/2026

Our Publican Beth at The Beeswing Inn 2013 has raised circa £250K for charity 😍 so if you're in the area this weekend, pop in and enjoy the music, food and drink!

Well done Beth!! 🥳

The Beeswing in East Cowton is hosting its 13th ‘Glastonbury’ festival to raise money for end of life care at a nearby hospital.

27/08/2026

Newly married couple Gareth and Jamie Furness have take the over The Bay Horse Inn in Pickering. 🔔

The pub has received a £400,000 investment and Gareth says it has been very well received by locals. 😃

“We are seeing more locals returning to the pub, faces that haven't been seen here for many years and we are seeing them on a regular basis... The refurb has really put The Bay Horse Inn back on the map and firmly at the heart of the Pickering community.” ❤️

Well done to everyone involved in this brilliant transformation 👏