The Ram ready for re-opening

One of Newark's most iconic night-time venues throws open its doors once more at noon on Friday, January 30.

The Ram, which was derelict for a decade, has been restored to former glories in a £1m investment.

When Dan Derry bought the building, which was Ye Olde Market in its last incarnation, on the corner of Boar Lane and Castlegate, what greeted him was a collapsed ceiling, a floor that had fallen into the cellar, inches of standing stagnant water, wet rot, dry rot and a rat and pigeon infestation.

Today, a year on, and the story couldn't be more different.

To the right of the entrance at the 400-year-old former hotel is the Colonel's Bar - so named after Mr Derry's grandfather, Lieutenant-colonel Sam Derry, Newark's most decorated war hero and architect of the second world war Rome Escape Line which guided around 5,000 escaping Allied prisoners of war to safety. A portrait photograph of Colonel Derry hangs on the wall.

The Colonel's Bar is the real ale part of the pub. Two of Mr Derry's beers - he's a Newark brewer - Newark Best and Norwegian Blue are among seven ales and a real cider on tap.

The floor is stone flagging. Ceiling beams have been uncovered and the original windows reinstated.

To the left hand side of the entrance is the Drawing Room. Art scenes of Newark painted by a Southwell artist are on the walls.

A third area has a more of a London gentlemans' club feel with built-in red leather sofas.

The distinct bar areas are heated by three log burners and one open fire.

"You have to be mindful people want different things," said Mr Derry. "They will naturally gravitate to where they feel most comfortable.

"The Colonel's Bar is more of a traditional pub and the Drawing Room more elegant where we'll have afternoon teas in the spring and where people can sit and drink coffee or tea and read the paper."

The long Chesterfield bar runs through a central foyer and at the back of that is the dining area which is lit by chandeliers.

The menu lists steaks from the grill, tapas, lobster, pizzas, lighter bites, brunch and a a children's menu.

Twenty five jobs have been created at The Ram, all given to local people.

"The whole place has been gutted," said Mr Derry. "It was in a dreadful state.

"It was declining rapidly and that was such a shame for such a beautiful building. If it had been left it would have become another Robin Hood Hotel.

"As a family we've been in Newark a long time and I have always believed that if you are to invest, it should be in the town where you live.

"Of all the things I have done, this was the most challenging. It was a real struggle to get it to this point but even when it was at its worst the place always had such a great atmosphere about it.

"Four hundred years of people having a good time in here seems to just ooze from the walls.

"There was a need for The Ram to come back into Newark's night-time economy.

"There's been so much interest in what we are doing. People like The Ram, have missed The Ram and now we hope they'll be back through the doors and it will become a destination pub for people coming from miles and miles around."

The Ram has a capacity of 500 people with another 100 for the upstairs function room. Bookings are already being taken.

The Ram will be open from 10am daily with last orders called at 11pm Monday to Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday and 11pm Sunday.

Sunday lunch will be served from 12pm-4pm.

The venue is licensed until 1am for special occasions.