Landlord's joy as Burton pub reopens eight months after being destroyed by fire

Friday, November 14, 2008, 07:30

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A PUB which is a base for Derby County fans has reopened eight months after a fire caused £600,000 of damage.

Burton's Beacon Hotel has undergone a major refurbishment after an electrical fault destroyed part of the family-run pub's roof in March.

Burton Mayor Liz Staples reopened the pub at 1pm yesterday before locals were welcomed back at a relaunch party in the evening, attended by Rams football legend Roger Davies.

The reopening has been welcomed by Burton members of the Derby County Supporters Club, who used to gather at the pub on match days to board coaches to Pride Park.

Landlord Simon Gaskin, who lives in a flat above the pub with his wife and son, was relieved to be back in business.

"It's been a frustrating time and it's taken a lot of hard work to get it reopened," he said.

"The fire completely devastated the place and we had to live over the road at my mother's house while the repairs were carried out."

Simon and his family have run the Tutbury Road pub since 1981 and he said now was an exciting time for them.

He said: "The whole of the inside is completely different. We have a new bar, carpets, curtains and decorations. It was a successful pub so we've kept the layout the same."

Simon said he was anxious to see how many customers would come back.

"It's always going to be a concern to see if they come back," he added. "However we've kept in contact with many of them and we're expecting up to 1,000 people to turn up over this weekend."

Among them will be about 120 Rams supporters expected to meet at the pub tomorrow before travelling to Pride Park by coach to see Derby County play Sheffield Wednesday.

The pub also acts as a base for meetings of the supporters' club branch.

The reopening of the pub will see the return of popular darts, pool and dominoes events.

Mrs Staples said the pub had been sorely missed over the past eight months.

"The whole community is pleased to see the pub up and running again," she said. "It's got that lovely new, clean smell and I really like the new carpets and furnishings."

Simon has taken on two new members of staff as well six former employees agreeing to return. (story source...)