2025 is off to a good start for Hereford pubgoers with a £225,000 refurbishment starting to help one of the city’s much-loved locals thrive for the long term.
The revamp of The Volunteer Inn on Harold Street is being undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and licensee Suzie Tortalino. The pub will close from 1stJanuary and is expected to reopen by early March.
Suzie took over The Volunteer in August 2023 when it was closed and boarded up. Since then she has worked tirelessly to re-establish it as a popular pub, ending residents’ concerns for its future and creating six new jobs. Changes have included starting up activities, such as a quiz and open mic night, and turning a disused skittle alley into a function room where local groups can hold meetings and residents can celebrate special occasions.
The investment will upgrade The Volunteer to reflect all it now offers, taking it to the next level as a great quality local.
The overhaul will carefully renovate the outside of the tired pub, painting it a classic green and adding new signage and lighting. In addition, a replacement deck will be built in the pub’s sheltered rear garden complete with new furniture.
A sympathetic interior makeover will preserve The Volunteer’s character and cosy charm, whilst adding contemporary touches and making it more comfortable and welcoming.
The smart new décor will incorporate heritage colours, William Morris-style wallpaper and deep button-back banquette seating and retain features like exposed brickwork and old timber floors.
A commercial kitchen will also be installed to enable Suzie to offer an extended menu of traditional pub classics. Dishes will range from small plates for sharing over drinks to fish & chips, burgers and Sunday roasts.
Reflecting The Volunteer’s links to the former military barracks opposite – which once housed the Herefordshire Rifle Volunteer Corps – Suzie is installinga display of local militaria, much of it donated by customers and residents. This will show photographs of the barracks and the pub over time and military memorabilia, such as old uniform buttons. A plaque on the outside of The Volunteer, erected by The Rifles who occupied the barracks in 2014, will continue to have pride of place and commemorate The Herefordshire Regiment, who marched to war from Harold Street in 1914 and 1939.
Says Suzie: “I’ve been very grateful for the amazing support we’ve had from the community since reopening The Volunteer – the refurbishment wouldn’t have been possible without it. I’ve worked in pubs around the UK and never known such friendly customers; it’s thanks to them that The Volunteer has such a wonderful atmosphere. We’ve got regulars of all ages, and they make anyone who comes to the pub feel included. I’m really excited about the designs and can’t wait to show customers their new-look local.”
Adds Star Pubs investment manager Aubrey Taylor: “Suzie has put her all into The Volunteer and has restored it as a real hub of the community. We’re delighted to be backing her plans and investing in such a well-known pub.
