Lostock Hall pub The Vic to close for month ahead of £266k revamp as landlords agree long-term stay
A Lostock Hall pub will close for nearly a month this weekend as it undergoes a £266,000 refurbishment.
The Victoria in Watkin Lane will close at the end of service on Sunday, March 15 and reopen in early April in time for Easter.
The pub has been run on a temporary basis by Rob and Clare Mcquilton-Morgan since September 2025 and the couple have now committed to taking on the Watkin Lane venue on a long-term lease from Heineken-owned Star Pubs.
They run the pub together with three of their six children and two daughters-in-law. Clare oversees the front-of-house with their son Josh and daughter-in-law Charity working alongside her. In the kitchen, Rob is helped by their son Jordan, youngest daughter Jemma and daughter in law, Olivia.
During this time, they have transformed the pub’s fortunes, increasing trade on the back of introducing top quality home cooked food, regular events and live entertainment.
Prior to taking on The Victoria, Rob and Clare managed a pub in Clayton-le-Moors, which like The Victoria they successfully turned around. The Victoria is the couple’s first pub of their own, though they have over 30 years’ experience working in the industry. Rob started when he was just 14 doing part time work and Clare began working in pubs after leaving college.
Rob, a trained chef, has developed a passion and talent for baking. He bakes celebratory cakes for special occasions, either to be enjoyed in the pub or bought to take away.
Clare said: “We took over the temporary management of The Victoria with a view to taking on its lease because we could see it had real potential.
“However, it was so quiet initially that we wondered if we had made a mistake. Within a matter of weeks, it had all improved.
“The lovely residents of Lostock Hall started to use the pub and made us feel really welcome. We haven’t looked back.
“It is now a proper community local attracting people of all ages. We are open every lunch and evening for food, except Mondays, and are the only pub in the village with a fully-fledged food offer.
“We also have Whacky Wednesday which includes games like music bingo, bingo, and ‘key to the box’ plus raffles, a Friday interactive quiz., and live bands every Saturday as well as live sport screened on Sky and TNT on our TVs.
“Although it is thriving, the pub is in need of some TLC. The investment will take The Victoria to the next level, improving the comfort and décor for our many regulars whilst retaining its character.
“It will be a ‘thank you’ to customers for supporting us over the last six months.”
Outside, The Victoria will be completely overhauled with seating for alfresco drinking and dining increased from 50 to 78 at new picnic and round wooden tables and benches as well as at mid height bar stools with a drinking ledge.
New wooden planters and parasols will complete the new look. The patio is being renovated and festoon lighting added to create ambience. The building is also being redecorated in deep blue and cream with gold lettering and signage and traditional lanterns and floodlights.
Inside, the interior will be given a smarter, more up to date look whilst retaining the layout which consists of a bar, two lounges and a games area.
With food a major focus for the pub, dining covers are being doubled in number from 17 to 35. Other changes include a refurbished bar counter, new halo-lit darts board, new pool table, and redecoration including new artwork, bric-a-brac, tub style seats, carpet and flooring and traditional style wall and hanging pendants.
The kitchen is also being upgraded to enable the pub to cater for more diners and broaden its food offer.
An updated menu will be launched when the pub reopens. It will continue to feature favourites like burgers, lasagne, cheese and onion pie, as well as a cracking Sunday lunch,.
A third cask ale will be introduced in April alongside the pub’s wide selection of draught ales and ciders.
Star Pubs Business Development Manager, Tracy Duncan, said: “Rob and Clare have been welcomed with open arms by the community who recognise the great job they have done turning the pub around and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s a real family enterprise.
“We’re delighted to be investing in The Victoria to bring it up to the standard of the great service and welcome provided. I wish Rob, Clare and their family continued and well-deserved success at The Victoria.”