A much-loved village pub is set to reopen its doors on Wednesday 17th June following an extensive refurbishment. With deep roots in the community, its closure in 2022 came as a devastating blow to the village of Tedburn St Mary. There were real fears that the historic building could be lost altogether after plans were submitted to demolish the premises and replace it with flats, particularly after community efforts to raise funds to save the pub were ultimately unsuccessful.
Now, in a remarkable turnaround, the pub has been purchased, carefully restored, and brought back to life by local investment company EGN Services, whose two founders share a personal connection to it. The couple first met at The Red Lion during its previous heyday and have long held a vision of seeing it reinstated as a thriving hub at the heart of the village.
“This pub holds very special memories for both of us,” they said. “It has always been more than just a building, it’s part of our story. Seeing it closed was incredibly sad and bringing it back to life is something we’ve dreamed of for years.”
For generations, The Red Lion has been at the heart of the Tedburn St Mary community. It has been a place of connection, where friendships were formed, celebrations were shared, and village life unfolded.
The reopening follows a significant investment and a comprehensive renovation, with a strong focus on preserving the character and heritage of the building while introducing thoughtful updates to enhance the experience for today’s guests. Wherever possible, local tradespeople from Tedburn St Mary and the surrounding areas have played a key role in the restoration.
The result is a traditional village pub that honours its past while offering something fresh and exciting for the future, a warm, welcoming space where both familiar faces and new visitors can come together to enjoy quality food, great drinks, and genuine hospitality.
The Red Lion will initially open from Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th June from 12pm on a walk-in basis, alongside the launch of its new grab & go breakfast offering available from 8am to 10:30am, Monday to Saturday. This will be followed by a special reopening celebration on Saturday 20th June, before regular service and opening hours commence from Sunday 21st June.
On Sunday 21st June, guests will be able to pre-book to enjoy a traditional Sunday roast or choose from the full main menu, making it the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day.
The reopening celebration on Saturday promises to be a true community event, featuring:
- A ribbon cutting ceremony with former owners Les and Di at 12pm
- A performance from the Tedburn Community Choir at 12:30pm
- BBQ and full menu service from 1pm
- Live music throughout the afternoon
- A DJ into the evening
Whether visiting for food, drinks, or simply to see the transformation, the team at The Red Lion is inviting everyone to be part of this special moment. “Our vision is simple,” the owners added. “To bring back The Red Lion as a warm, welcoming and thriving village pub, a place where everyone feels comfortable, where friendships are made, and where new memories can be created, just as they were for so many years before.”
The reopening marks not just the return of a pub, but the revival of an important part of village life.
