We take a look at nine cafes and pubs across the West Midlands which have welcomed back or are set to welcome back guests through refurbishments or new managers
While the hospitality sector has suffered in recent months due to rising prices and changes around business rates, there are still plenty of places which are opening or reopening their doors to welcome customers.
The hospitality industry has faced challenges over the past few months, with rising costs and competition for customers causing some to close down and fall by the wayside.
While some pubs and cafes have closed down, there are just as many which have opened their doors to welcome customers, either through new ownership or after undergoing an extensive refurbishment to change the look of the place.
We've taken a look across the region at some of the pubs and cafes which have either opened as new places for people to go, have undergone a facelift and refurbishment or which have found new life under new management.
Are there any places we have missed? Please let us know in the comments below.
Elly's Eaterie, Wombourne
The cafe and restaurant on Maypole Street opened its doors for the first time in May, offering a fine range of food and drink influenced with Italian flavours.
Since opening on May 24, Elly's has been praised by customers on social media for the quality of the food, as well as the friendliness of the service and warm welcome from staff.
The cafe's Facebook page says: "We are an Italian inspired cafe, serving some Persian dishes and your traditional British breakfast and brunch items.
"We will have plenty of hot & cold drinks for you to enjoy and a selection of cakes & bakes."
The Vine Inn, Wednesfield
The popular pub has undergone a recent refurbishment by owners Black Country Ales, with the Grade II listed building closing for 10 days between June 30 and July 10.
It has stood on the same site on Lichfield Road since 1938 and has gained a reputation as a pub with friendly service and a wide range of ales on offer.
The Vine Inn has been described as a rare, intact example of a simple inter-war, urban working-class pub and still has the fixtures, design and layout of the original building, as well as also retaining the original tiled fireplace from the 1930s.
The New Wellington, Brierley Hill
The New Wellington on Brettell Lane was officially closed in 2022, but has now reopened after the new managers at the pub Rio Cheadle and Lisa Curtis put in the work to refurbish the pub.
Officially opening on July 11, the pub is offering a range of ales and other premium drinks behind the bar, while it also has a large beer garden and play area for youngsters.
There will be an all-new menu of dishes with ingredients from locally-sourced produce and suppliers, including seasonal dishes, a kids menu and a steak menu, as well as vegan and vegetarian options and specials on offer.
Queen's Head, Wednesbury
The popular Wednesbury pub has been given a new lease of life after undergoing a substantial refurbishment.
The Queens Head on Brunswick Park Road closed in the middle of March for a £210,000 refurbishment by Heineken-owned Star Pubs, with the front getting a new look, including new signage and lighting, while a new 50-seater patio was developed on the carpark behind the pub.
It fully reopened in Mid-April under the stewardship of licensees Karen and Michael Cooper, who also run The Plough at Oldbury
The Cafe at Featherstone
There's a new dawn for the popular cafe on The Avenue after it was reopened on Monday, July 14 after being closed for a month.
A notice was posted on the Featherstone Café Facebook page at the start of June from the previous owner to say that the café on The Avenue was now closed until further notice due to personal circumstances.
However, new owner Donna Rushton and her team held a grand reopening on Monday to welcome people back with a fine collection of cooked breakfasts, hot and cold drinks, cakes and a warm welcome.
Smash It, Wednesfield
A new burger restaurant experience has arrived in Wednesfield with an offer of crispy smashed patties with edges burnt just right and a range of flavours and toppings to go with it.
The new store opened on Linthouse Lane on Wednesday with offers of free fries with every order and the chance to win a £25 voucher as part of its welcome to customers.
Smash It offers eight types of burger, from the Original Smash through spicy and BBQ burgers to large burgers covered with cheese, as well as four different types of chicken burger and a range of extra toppings.
The Two Greens, Tettenhall
The popular Tettenhall pub reopened its doors to the public at the start of June after undergoing a substantial, six-figure refurbishment.
Key features of the investment included a full renovation of the pub’s interior space, with new lighting, flooring and furniture.
The bar has also been upgraded, with owners Greene King saying it will feature an improved drinks range, providing customers with an even wider choice of tipples to enjoy.
The Barley Mow, Wolverhampton
The Barley Mow has been part of the Penn area of Wolverhampton for more than 500 years, having originally started life as a farm then, after being sold for around £1,000.
Owned and run by Punch Taverns, the running of the pub has been taken over by a group of locals who felt the pub was not living up the standards they wanted to see it run to, so decided to step up and take on the running of the pub.
After working to renovate the pub and update the kitchen and drink selections, the pub reopened on May 17 and has been a popular spot since.
The Elisabeth Arms, Bilston
The Elisabeth Arms in Bilston welcomed pub-goers back on Wednesday following an extensive nearly three-week refurbishment.
Boasting a brighter, modern aesthetic, the Elisabeth Arms renovation has seen a refreshed bar, updated soft furnishings, and an enhanced dining area and extended beer garden.
The pub also has a conservatory area available for private hire, making it the ideal venue for events such as weddings and birthdays as well as business meetings.
