Big match atmosphere and warm welcome as Black Country pub opens following six-figure refurbishment

The One Man and His Dog in Bloxwich reopened on March 4 as a Marston's ‘Grandstand’ sports pub, following an investment of more than £339,200.

The community pub has been transformed with market-leading technology, such as a new 3m x 1.68m screen and state-of-the-art sound systems, as well as flexible tiered seating to guarantee a view of the action from anywhere in the pub.

On the opening day, a community hero was invited to pull the first pint and officially open the pub, with Craig Timmins, a local resident and regular recognised for his charitable work both within the community and at a national level, given the honour. 

The refurbishment also included an outdoor area with TV screens, and the all-new Marston’s ‘Order & Pay’ app, which will allow locals to order from their tables.

The One Man and His Dog has been decorated with local sports memorabilia and is on the hunt for photographs and merchandise, giving pub-goers the chance to fill the walls and celebrate the achievements of local sports stars and teams, past and present.

The pub will show all key sporting fixtures, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, F1, darts, horse racing and more, while regulation dart boards and pub games will provide entertainment well after the final whistle, with new competition leagues and free-to-play recreational sessions taking place throughout the week.

A new range of bar food has been introduced, with the ‘Match Day Menu’ featuring chicken wings and nachos, sitting alongside pub favourites such as fish and chips and burgers. The pub has also refreshed its range of drinks, and all draught beer is available in two-pint cups.

There will also be the chance for local sports teams to get their hands on a ‘Black Card’, securing them endless chips when they visit for team drinks, and even more rewards if they win their game.

Marston’s picked The One Man and His Dog as one of the pubs to receive the Grandstand makeover due to its involvement with local sports teams, community groups and charities and said the refurbishment has created a new and exciting proposition for local sports fans from Bloxwich and beyond. 

Pub partners Paul and Dawn Newlands said: “We’ve loved welcoming the community back with open arms. 

"The response has been fantastic to our food and drink offers, as well as the new technology to watch all kinds of sports and we’re thankful that our pub is always full of good vibes, and real community spirit.”