Spateston pub aims to be local hub after £500k refurb

A pub in Spateston near Johnstone has opened its doors for the first time in nine months, showing off the results of a £500,000 refurbishment.

The Spateston Inn – formerly The Osprey – has reopened, creating 15 jobs. Picture: Gibson Digital.

The Spateston Inn – formerly The Osprey – was due to reopen in mid March following the revamp by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars – which has 240 pubs in Scotland. Instead, new licensee and lifelong local resident Christine Knox has had to wait due to the pandemic – and the pub opened on Saturday, creating 15 jobs.

It claims to be the only pub in Spateston, and as the town has no coffee shop, Knox is introducing all-day coffee and hot drinks alongside alcoholic drinks and food. It is the first pub of Knox’s own.

Christine Knox says demand for a welcoming local in the area has never been greater. Picture: Gibson Digital.

She said: “The Spateston Inn has a special place in my heart as it has always been my local and was my dad’s favourite pub. Spateston is crying out for a community hub. With so much new housing in the area, the demand for a welcoming local where people can get together and get to know each other has never been greater.”

Lawson Mountstevens, MD of Star Pubs & Bars, said the pub “will hopefully bring some good cheer to the community,” adding: “ This project comes at a time when future investment in Scotland’s tied pubs is in danger of being jeopardised by The Tied Pubs Bill now being considered by the Scottish Parliament.”

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