The George Wetherspoon in Croydon reopens - first look photos

There was a small queue outside before 8am as loyal regulars waited for the doors of Croydon's newly refurbished Wetherspoon to reopen after two months of closure.

I was among the first people inside The George on George Street on Friday morning (July 31), where customers were already settling into their favourite tables, staff were welcoming back familiar faces and there was a buzz as people explored the pub's fresh new look.

The pub has reopened following a £1.25 million refurbishment, which has seen one of its two bars removed to create extra seating, alongside a complete redecoration, new carpets, upgraded heating and air conditioning, improvements behind the bar and refurbished customer facilities.

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Pub manager Manuel Ribeiro (left) and Area Manager Stephen Meeke (right) (Image: Poppy Huggett)

Area manager Stephen Meeke, who previously managed The George before taking on his current role, said the investment showed the company's long-term commitment to Croydon.

He said: "This was my pub as a pub manager before I became an area manager, so it holds a very special place in my heart.

Slot machines are available to place inside (Image: Poppy Huggett)

The refurbishment has increased customer space by around 400 square feet after the second bar was removed, creating more tables in what he described as one of the company's busiest pubs.

Stephen added: "Manny [pub manager] is a victim of his own success because he runs such a great pub and we're churning out a lot of customers coming in.

The newly designed bar area (Image: Poppy Huggett)

"Finding a table and chair is like gold dust, so having the extra covers will pay dividends really."

As well as creating more room for customers, the work included a new staff room, larger cold storage facilities for the kitchen, a revamped drinks dispense system, upgraded heating and air conditioning, fresh décor and new artwork celebrating Croydon's history.

Decor is scattered across the walls (Image: Poppy Huggett)

"We're here to stay, hence why we've invested," Stephen added.

Pub manager Manuel Ribeiro, who has worked for Wetherspoon for 19 years and managed The George for the past two, said the reopening had already attracted a mixture of loyal regulars and curious newcomers.

Both Manuel and Stephen have worked with Wetherspoon for many years. (Image: Poppy Huggett)

He told Your Local Guardian: "There's already loyal customers at the front but we're also getting a lot of new faces in today.

"I'm sure they've heard about the refurb and wanted to come and see what the excitement is all about.

"I am excited about everything – the whole refurb will bring new customers."

The seating area available (Image: Poppy Huggett)

Standing with drinks in hand shortly after opening, pundits Charles and his friends were pleased to be back.

"I've missed this place so badly, it is unbelievable," one said.

Another customer said: "It's lovely, the ladies' toilets are so much cleaner."

"It makes you want to eat in here now."

The refurbished ladies toilets (Image: Poppy Huggett)

"I couldn't believe how cheap it was – it's £3.49 here whereas all my other locals it's at least £5."

Charles, who said he eats at the pub every day, described it as an "important place" for local people.

Regular customer Jim, who has lived locally for around 15 years, said he was pleased to see the pub reopen.

He told Your Local Guardian: "I used to come here a lot. I come by tram so it's very convenient.

"We've got our own special table here."

Artwork featuring The George's carpet design (Image: Poppy Huggett)

He had arrived for breakfast shortly after the doors opened at 8am and said the changes still felt familiar.

"Things seem to be in the same place so far", Jim added.

The bar area is placed directly opposite the entrance. (Image: Poppy Huggett)

Behind the scenes, shift manager Katie said staff morale had received a boost from the refurbishment.

She told Your Local Guardian: "Customers are loving it – there's been lots of excitement.

"Some of them were even trying to come in yesterday whilst they were having a nose through the window.

"We've got a lot of old customers who don't like to travel too far, and this is the only place that they come to.

Wetherspoon employee Sian (left) and shift manager Katie (right) (Image: Poppy Huggett)

"Even when we were closed, they weren't going out."

The George is now open from 8am until midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, with food served daily until 11pm.

The refurbishment has also created 10 new full and part-time jobs.