Time for a change

The makeover is still at an early stage. Gloria has met with pub owners Thwaites to thrash out a major new look for the Victorian building.

"It's going to become a nice residential hotel upstairs with a very new pub, hopefully retaining some of the nice features," she said.

Under the provisional plans, the wall separating the bar and the snug would be knocked down. The stylish bar counter and backfitting would, she hoped, be moved on to the back wall of the snug. The snooker room upstairs will be turned into two guest rooms. Downstairs, the pool room's ceiling would be lowered and it would become the 'sportsman's bar', complete with darts.

Gloria also foresees a change to the entrances. One side entrance would be sealed to create a new gents lavatory. The door on the city side of the pub would be sealed to create a downstairs ladies for the first time.

A new street entrance into the main bar would be built with a porch.

French windows would create a conservatory feel in a new-look dining room and lead into the garden. This would be extended and boast a play area and a place for barbecues. A bigger fence would be erected and the car park relaid.

These plans are subject to change by the architects, Gloria said. And the Lighthorseman is protected by Grade II listing.

There are bound to be concerns about alterations to a unique pub which was built in the 1870s and which retains many original features.

The Campaign For Real Ale book, Historic Pubs In York, described it as the city's "nearest approximation to a big city 'gin palace'."

But Gloria, who also oversaw a refurbishment of her other pub, the White Horse in Bootham, in 1998, says the new look will live up to Thwaites' motto: "Progress with tradition."

It does need to change, she said. "A lot of people who live in the streets around the Lighthorseman say the pub's been like this since we were kids. People think of it as an old man's pub. That hopefully will go.

"It will become the best pub on this side of town for people going into York. We're very excited about it."

Thwaites has put the boozer at the top of its list of refurbishment projects. Work could begin in March. The pub will be shut for a month to six weeks.

But its international flavour will remain: as well as Gloria, who spent many years in Australia, the pub has two managers, South African Andre and Sardinian Guisi, and the barman, Mitchell, is an Aussie.

u IT'S all change, too, at the Sun Inn, Acomb, York. Landlady Maureen Yoward is throwing in the bar towel after eight years at the helm.

Her decision to quit is a sad one for pub-goers: during her time in charge the pub won a place in the Good Beer Guide and a CAMRA Pub of the Season award.

"I think it's time for a change," said Maureen. "I want to get a job where someone pays me!

"I have enjoyed it. I love being behind the bar. But it's a lot of work."

The Unique Pub Company is the leaseholder, and it will be sold on as a pub, Maureen said.

Someone has already expressed an interest.

She expects the Sun to change hands at the end of March, and will begin looking for a new job then.

u BAR Talk received a large and creative response to our competition to name York Brewery's second pub.

The new boozer is due to be opened in High Petergate, subject to all the planning and licensing considerations.

But brewery boss Tony Thomson could not come up with a suitable name.

Many of you rose to the challenge and we have faxed over the full list of suggestions to Tony. He tells us that one or two have caught his eye, but he has not made up his mind yet.

In the meantime, he says he is still open to ideas. Send them to Chris Titley, Bar Talk, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN; or email chris.titley@ycp.co.uk

Remember the prize is to be the VIP guest of honour on the pub's opening night.