Coca Cola fund outdoor refurbishment at The Victoria, Newton

The Victoria in Newton-le-Willows was named as one of the winners at the 21st annual Great British Pub Awards last year for going the extra mile to support the community during the height of the first lockdown last spring.

When the pub had to close in March, licensee Kath O’Neill set up a food bank on-site and started making food hampers each morning to deliver to those who were vulnerable and shielding in the community.

As part of The Victoria’s prize, Coca Cola has funded its outside renovation.

The Victoria

The pub now has a new outdoor space that can seat an additional 80 people, and a digital projector to keep customers entertained

The team at The Victoria in Newton-le-Willows has been hard at work throughout the latest lockdown, not just continuing to provide the vital community services again, but using the prize money to complete some important upgrades ahead of reopening.

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Following the award win last September, licensee Kath O’Neill submitted an application for a £10,000 grant from the £165,000 Coca-Cola Community Pub Fund, which went to all 15 Great British Pub award winners and their chosen charities.

The Victoria’s grant money has gone towards transforming its outdoor space into a new, covered terrace, complete with a heated marquee. The marquee can host up to 80 covers, and has a digital projector to keep customers entertained in the garden.

The digital projector

The funding has also helped pay for new outdoor furniture.

Kath said: “Winning the £10,000 prize as part of the Great British Pub Awards has made the prospect of opening post-lockdown much less daunting. The funding from Coca-Cola has allowed us to enhance our garden area, meaning we can open our doors to the public when restrictions ease.

“The refurbishment means we’ll be able to serve up to an additional 80 customers and their families outside, meaning we can host 300 in the pub garden in total, and we’ve already been inundated with enquiries since the reopening announcement was made.

“We’re so excited to be able to open our doors again, as we welcome our loyal customers and meet new ones, revealing our new and improved outdoor space.”

Since the first lockdown was announced in early 2020, Kath and the team have been real local heroes, providing the hampers and setting up a food bank on-site, to help the most vulnerable and working together with volunteer group ‘Newton Helping Hands’,

Jon Woods, general manager at Coca-Cola Great Britain added: “We’ve been inspired by the ways in which publicans have stepped up to support local people throughout the coronavirus pandemic, despite many facing hardship themselves.

“The Coca-Cola Community Pub Fund is our way of giving something back. The grant money is designed to help these businesses – and their communities – get back on their feet when they’re able to. The Victoria’s outdoor seating area looks amazing and we’re so pleased for the team.”