We can’t believe we’re writing this blog; our incredible new refurbishment is FINISHED after over 18 months of hard work – zero sleep, sweat and tears. Oh, and a global pandemic.

First started back in October 2018, we began our journey on a mission to make The Bowgie as good as it could be, to reflect our stunning location here on West Pentire headland. It was no small undertaking and no corners cut, as we worked towards our vision for what The Bowgie could be like.

We have had the most amazing team of builders, carpenters, electricians, labourers, plumbers, painters and plasterers. We chose to work with incredible Cornish businesses wherever possible including Abbotts Event Hire, Penwith Upholstery based in Redruth, Mike Martin Windows based near Newquay and Simply Stainless at Threemilestone, Pulse Fabrications of Penryn, Local Roofers Jack Benney and Resin Tech Roofing, Exco Fire & Safety, Electrical Services among other amazing local tradesmen. Our stunning interiors were created by Absolute Interiors, Truro, and reflect our coastal location, with beautiful shades of blue, grey and teal.

It’s so important for us to support other local businesses, especially during these challenging times when so many are faced with uncertainty. We were really grateful to have pushed forward with our refurb during the lockdown. At a time when all too many businesses are sadly closing, we were proud to make such an investment and commitment to the community.

To give you a little insight into how far we’ve come, here’s how you might remember The Bowgie…

We loved our unique shade of pink too, but after decades running the pub, we needed to make some big changes. As years went by, the building needed more maintenance and upkeep than we could keep up with, and it was time to say hello to a new Bowgie! We soon got to work…

Wearing hard hats, steel-toe capped boots and even Minnie Mouse in her pink high-vis jacket (yes really!), it wasn’t long before our vision soon began to take shape.

The entrance to The Bowgie is now through a large main door with stunning glass feature windows, which allow light to flood into the building. We wanted every area of the pub to be able to enjoy our breathtaking views over the ocean, so we’ve opened up the space, removed walls, built a 360-degree bar, added portrait windows and glass where possible, to maximise our location on the headland overlooking the sea.

We remained open throughout our refurb, but our temporary closure during COVID-19 allowed us to make huge progress. When we reopened again on July 4th, it was not only a celebration after months in lockdown, but also a big moment for us as we showcased The Bowgie’s new look to the world!

With all the new COVID measures we have had to introduce, our new refurb has actually made the whole process easier. With more open space for a one-way system, new seating arrangements perfect for social distancing and a new App allowing our customers to order food and drink online, we are now very well-placed to welcome our team and customers in a considered and safe way. It is hard to imagine how we would have managed to implement the new COVID-19 safety measures in The Bowgie before the refurbishment – can you imagine trying to socially distance in the old Pig Sty Bar!?

We can’t put into words how emotional and excited we were on the 4th July when we reopened our pub again after months of closure and lockdown. We worked so hard to implement the new COVID systems and seeing our team back welcoming and serving customers again in a brand-new-look Bowgie was a very proud moment for us.

Our pub is at the heart of the community, so it was wonderful when our refurb was met with such excitement – everyone loves the changes and can’t believe it’s the same place! We really think it’s helped to lift the spirits of our punters being back here again and enjoying the new surroundings while we get used to the ‘new normal’. Customers really appreciate and value the extra space they now have inside which means it’s far easier for the team and customers to social distance.

The pandemic situation is difficult right now, but we are doing all we can to give everyone a wonderful welcome back to Crantock after what has been a difficult year. We are lucky to be at the heart of our community and have made it our mission throughout the pandemic to spread kindness and compassion when people needed it most. It’s amazing to be open and sharing our very special part of the world with everyone.

Due to our current circumstances, people are going out less, but when they do, they want a better-quality environment and a premium experience. At The Bowgie, we’re so lucky to have one of the best pub locations in the country, and now we feel that the building reflects that too.

We hope you visit us soon to see our new refurbishment for yourself in December, and don’t forget, booking is now essential and orders must be placed via our new Bowgie App which you can download from the App store.

Thanks so much for all your support and we’ll see you soon!