A Morecambe pub famed for its iconic chieftain figure above the entrance has reopened after a six-figure upgrade.
The Chieftain on Pedder Street in Morecambe town centre, which closed for a refurb on November 4, reopened its doors at 10am today (Thursday November 28).
Decorative work inside the Chieftain has led to an increase in capacity by 14, while the previous fixed seating has been replaced with tables and chairs.
A new dedicated sports area has been added featuring three large HD TVs, alongside a new pool table and dartboard.
The outdoor drinking space has received a refresh with a new lick of paint and festoon lighting throughout, and there is a new blue signage scheme outside the front of the premises.
Licensees Kat and Tze Devine (below) will be holding a grand reopening event tomorrow (Friday November 29).
This will include music from Mark McKenna and Fuse, and DJ Kev. Singer Mark is due first on stage from 4pm.
On Saturday they will also be raising money for the Bay Veterans' Association, including a raffle with prizes, a chase the joker event and a number of brave locals will be braving the shave in the name of raising money to support Forces veterans in Morecambe.
This is part of Craft Union’s ‘Make it a Million’ campaign to raise £1m for local community causes across their network of over 600 pubs nationwide, with more than £700,000 already raised.
“We can’t wait to welcome guests back to our new-look pub with our reopening weekend events set to bring the community together for an unforgettable few days," said Tze.
“The Bay Veterans charity is a charity that means a lot to us all in Morecambe, so we are thrilled to see so much interest and passion in raising as much money as possible for the charity this Saturday.
“We know the work completed has not only enhanced our warm and welcoming atmosphere but also strengthened the pub's community spirit, which was at the heart of our thoughts during the investment.”
The Chieftain is now a Craft Union Pub and part of the Stonegate Group.
Here is the famous 'Chieftain' figurehead above the pub.
HISTORY OF THE CHIEFTAIN
The Chieftain Hotel was built in the 1850s.
The first recorded licensee was a Mr G Barrow from 1860-63.
Other licensees through the years, until the 1980s, included Mr J Elleray, Mr J Fletcher, Mr G Bently, Mr J Walmsley, Mr F Cummings, Mr D Daniels, Mr E Wilson, Mr J Benson, Mr B Edge and Mr D Fawcett.
This photo shows the Judge and Jury freemasons club outside The Chieftain Hotel.
The pub was bought by Yates's Castle Brewery at a public auction in 1911.
This photo of the Chieftain was taken in the early 20th century.
The famous figurehead above the pub was bought from the yards of T.W Ward (Shipbreakers) which was based in the Stone Jetty area of Morecambe Promenade until 1933.
It isn't clear if the figurehead came from a ship broken up at the yard or if it had been acquired by Wards.
Former licensee Bernard Shaw, who ran The Chieftain with his wife Linda for 30 years until 2014, found the figurehead among rubbish and rubble in the rear yard when he took over the pub in 1984. It was renovated and restored to its proper place above the front door.
Here is the pub pictured circa 1984/5, when it was a John Smiths premises.
From the 1980s, the Chieftain was renowned for its darts teams, and top class players including world champions John Lowe, Jocky Wilson, Phil Taylor and Dennis Priestley have all been through its doors.
Thank you to Bernard Shaw for providing us with the history and photos of the Chieftain for this article.
Read more: One of Morecambe's oldest pubs to hold grand reopening after refurb - Beyond Radio
Morecambe MP explains why she voted for assisted dying bill
Site earmarked for 'game-changing' new Lancaster hospital is revealed
Person cut from vehicle after road crash in Lancaster
Morecambe Bay rail passengers warned of Christmas disruption
Carnforth charity celebrate awarding £100,000 of grant funding to local good causes
Timeline: How the Morecambe FC sale saga has dragged on for two years
Potential buyer of Morecambe Football Club is revealed
Series 5 of Morecambe-based police drama The Bay confirmed for ITV1 in early 2025
Lancaster schoolboy has recipe for success at Games launch
Lancaster community choir voted 'People's Choice' for whole of Lancashire
Green-Lib Dem-MBI alliance to run new Lancaster City Council cabinet
Town council opens grant applications for Morecambe festivals and events in 2025
Lancaster youth charity shortlisted for national award
Morecambe woman shares her emotional cancer story as charity launches Christmas donation challenge
Love and lifelong friendships found in Lancaster celebrated at university graduation
Morecambe scout HQ to be renamed in honour of inspirational leader
New report says Lancaster University’s activities contributed £2 billion to economy in a year
Triple success for Morecambe FC at Northwest Football Awards
Morecambe man becomes champion for raising awareness of little-known brain condition
Two boys arrested in Morecambe on suspicion of dangerous driving on stolen motorbike
