First look at Castle Rock Brewery and Yupp Beer's Fox & Crown pub, Newark, ahead of reopening

A much-missed town centre pub is set to reopen at 3pm tomorrow, bucking a national trend of closures.

Two years after its closure due to the pandemic, the Fox & Crown, Appletongate, Newark, is ready to reopen thanks to a partnership between Castle Rock Brewery and Yupp Beer.

The venue, originally solely run by Castle Rock, will now be a partnership with online craft beer merchant Yupp Beer's, and their first pub.

Vicki Saxby, operations director at Castle Rock Brewery, said: "We never really wanted to close in the first place, but we had to do it because of financial pressures.

"Being able to work with Yupp meant we could bring the Fox back.

"It's always been one of Castle Rock's pubs closest to my heart."

What was a dusty, cobwebbed and mostly empty building at the start of the revamp, is now a welcoming pub again, maintaining much of its previous character.

Dan Brown, Yupp Beer founder and chief executive, added: "We wanted to cover all bases and create something for everyone.

"There's reminders of the Fox & Crown of old but it will also be updated and modern, with lots of craft beer and lots of fun stuff.

Both Dan and Vicky worked at the pub in the past, and have a vested interest in bringing the pub back to life while retaining its original feeling.

Dan added: "There will be no gambling, but old style arcade machines instead.

"We want to attract a younger crowd, as well as the people who used to come in here."

The pub is also set to become a foodie destination, with pop-up kitchens planned until April, when a full-time food menu is hoped to be introduced.

"We've had lots of positive feedback so far, people we've spoken to are happy to see it reopen," he said.

"People lost their local, and a community hub when the pub closed."