Jarrow’s oldest pub the Crown and Anchor set for £60,000 refurbishment under new landlord

The Crown and Anchor on Chapel Road is set to see up to £60,000 of investment as a major refurbishment takes place in the coming weeks.

The pub, which is owned by Trust Inns, was taken over by a new landlord in November 2019 who is keen to transform the “backstreet boozer” into a stylish, bustling bar - while maintaining its rich heritage.

Jarrow’s most historic wateringhole has seen little investment over the last three decades.

But in the next few weeks the pub will close while work gets underway inside and out, including installing new floors and furniture, and introducing a beer garden and smoking area outside.

New landlord and entrepreneur Gareth Carr, who has lived in Jarrow for 15 years, already has a history of success with bar and venue refits, with a portfolio including the Purple Peacock in Newcastle, but this will be his first time pulling pints in a pub.

Gareth took over from former Jarrow brewery boss Jess McConnell, who spent eight weeks behind the bar there before returning to his old haunt the Jarrow Gin and Ale Bar - newly-named the Albion Inn.

“I was a regular in the pub and when it came up I had a discussion with Jess and decided that I would take it on,” said Gareth, 33.

“The brewery has put quite a large amount of investment in which they haven’t done for around 30 years - it’s had the same seats from the 80s - so they must have seen something in my vision for it.”

He is also keen to see the town’s pub scene booming again, following the reopening of the Albion and the Johnnie’s Bar earlier this year.

“Jarrow needs it at the moment. This pub has been neglected for a lot of years but I intend to be here for a long time to come,” Gareth added.

“We have made quite a lot of changes in the last eight weeks and it’s had a really good response already.”