(L- R) Director Matt Saunders and new general manager Ed Belshaw at the Larwood and Voce in West Bridgford(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)

West Bridgford pub's £200,000 bid to win back locals and restore it to former glory

27 Sep 2026, 05:00 by Lynette Pinchess · NottinghamshireLive

It's going to be all change with a new look, improved drinks and a new food menu

The owners of a West Bridgford pub that used to be one of the best in the town have revealed plans to restore it to its former glory — not just in appearance but also quality drinks and gastropub food.

The Larwood and Voce used to be highly rated and back in 2015 won the prestigious title of Best British Roast Dinner.

Coming up to the end of the 20-year lease, there was uncertainly whether owners Greene King would extend it, so the owners held back on making any costly improvements.

However, the proprietors have been granted a further ten years, so they're prepared invest in a £200,000 makeover, which they hope will attract locals people to the pub that they once loved.

Located in Fox Road, in the shadow of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, the busiest times at the pub are when England play and Nottingham Forest home games, so the revamp has been timed to coincide with the Reds' away games to Ipswich and Brentford in October.

The pub had minor facelift in 2019 but this will be the first major refurbishment since it was taken over by the locally-owned Moleface Pub Company in 2007.

Director Matt Saunders, who runs the pub with Matt Cullen and Simon Patterson, said: "We just need to get it back. We have been guilty of letting it slide a little bit due to uncertainty.

"It needed investment and we've not been prepared to put it in until we knew if it was going to be our pub or somebody else's. But we have clarity so we've decided we're going to give it a major overhaul. We're getting rid of a few things that don't work so well anymore.

"There's a lot we can do here. It's got a lot of life left in it. We want to get it back to how it used to be for those that can remember. We're looking at all the very best gastropubs in London and beyond."

The 50/50 split of bar and restaurant will change to 75/25 with more space for drinking and casual eating. Food will be served throughout but the glass panel and red booth will be relocated to indicate the designated 36-seater space for those who prefer a more formal restaurant setting.

The restaurant reception counter will be turned into a bar. Matt said: "We know there's an issue on match days. We've effectively got a small bar plus an outside bar so we'll be having an extra bar in here."

The raised area in the bar will be flattened to create one larger level space. The biggest change is the installation of bi-fold doors opening out into the car park. "It'll make it lighter and we can landscape out there. It will make access much easier on big match days," added Matt.

It's out with the 70's-style geometric wallpaper and in with exposed brickwork. Matt said: "We're going to try to keep it warm and inviting and pub-like with lots of exposed brick and warm wood. Nothing too modern."

The pub has suffered from a lack of continuity with different chefs and general managers coming and going but that is set to change.

Ed Belshaw, a well-known and long-standing hospitality worker, has been recruited as the new general manager. Most recently, he worked at Alora in Mapperley, he's probably best recognised for his cocktail-making skills at Nottingham's former fine dining restaurant World Service.

He's making it his mission to bring back the regular trade that has dropped off and organise events, including a pub quiz.

Ed said: "I want to put my stamp on it. It had a great food reputation and it was a good community drinking pub and places like this that have been the reason why there have been so many chains moving in [to West Bridgford] t like Rudy's and The Botanist.

"They've obviously seen viability in this area. There's trade here but we've been slipping off. The idea of expanding the pub and making it feel a bit more casual in here, while still knocking out really good food is going to definitely help with the feel of the place.

"I think people would love it to be back to its former glory. They miss it and they want it back. It's great if you've got that potential where the community actually does want you to make a go of it."

Alongside permanent fixtures, Timothy Taylor's and Harvest Pale, he'd like to up the ante when it comes to real ales and place a bigger emphasis on craft beers. Locals can expect finely-crafted house and classic cocktails and an improved wine list.

The revised menu will feature both à la carte with favourites such as fish and chips and pies, as well as small plates, which are hugely popular with female groups and the younger crowd.

One thing that won't be changing is the pub's name, which pays homage to legendary Notts County Cricket Club and England fast bowlers Harold Larwood and Bill Voce. The duo were famous for pioneering the controversial 'Bodyline' bowling tactic during the 1932–33 Ashes tour of Australia.

The revamp will start on Monday, October 19 and the pub will reopen in time for Forest's home game on Saturday, November 7.

"We do have regulars, not as many as we used to have and it's not as busy as it used to be, but we're hoping there's still enough goodwill for people to want to try it again and see how we've made it different," said Matt.

The pub is currently open Wednesday to Sunday but after the refurbishment it will operate seven days a week.