See inside the Isambard Kingdom Brunel Wetherspoon pub in Portsmouth after £1m refurbishment

Pub-goers have been able to return to a popular city centre drinking spot after it reopened following a million pound refurbishment.

The Isambard Kingdom Brunel on Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, reopened on Thursday, April 16 having been closed since the beginning of March as it underwent an upgrade. The work included a complete internal redecoration and an overhaul of the bar area with new drinks dispensers meaning customers can be served quicker and more smoothly.

It has been a popular spot in the city since it opened in 1996 and with it not having any major work since then, manager Tez Merry believes the time was right for a change.

She said: “We have done our best to keep to the original features of the pub so the layout is similar. We have had a colour change from red to beautiful blue and we finally have a brand new carpet, which I think people have been looking forward to. For those that remember what the old toilets were like, it is definitely worth a look as the new ones are lovely.

“The pub feels fresh and clean and we are really happy to be here back open again.”

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Tez believes the refurbishment has led to the pub being more in tune with the building and its history with the artwork reflecting the theme of the pub.

She said: “Wetherspoon put a lot of care into the artwork they put in, they are all related to the history of the pub and the pictures all have plaques explaining what it is about.”

Even the bespoke carpet which has been fitted has notes about Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the famous engineer from Portsmouth who the pub is named after.

The new look has been a hit with the locals. Stuart Green was delighted to see it reopen. He has been frequenting the pub since it first opened in 1996 drawn by the “fantastic” selection of real ales on offer describing the pub as one of the “greatest” in the city.

See inside the newly refurbished Isambard Kingdom Brunel below: