Transforming a North Berwick landmark
Star Pubs' Investment: £735,000
Previous turnover: £0 (closed)
The Law's Transformation
The Law
StoryThe old County Hotel had been stood closed, boarded up and in a dilapidated state for over six years before Star Pubs’ gamechanger investment with the Discovery Group reopened the venue as a vibrant pub known as “The Law” on North Berwick High Street.
The Law
The Law, a pub renamed with a nod to the iconic North Berwick hill, was completely gutted and refurbished in 2025 to a tune of £735,000 reopening in September last year.
The investment team at Star Pubs saw a clear gap in the market with very little premium competition in the area. The high street already benefits from a very local feel with minimal national hospitality chains. This meant that revamping the venue allowed Star and it’s new operator, Andrena Smith-Bowes at the Discovery Group, to capitalise on The Law’s prime location, attracting affluent locals the area’s steady stream of golf tourists.
The refurbishment involved a complete interior overhaul featuring two separate licensed bars, a full restaurant also with a bar, a revamped function room and 10 en-suite rooms to let. Improving the connection between high tempo drinking and casual dining has positioned The Law with a unique selling point on the high street. The full kitchen refit, along with the replacement of fixed seating with flexible tables and chairs, has created a high-quality dining space but also retains a laid-back pub atmosphere.
The design draws inspiration from the local coastline, featuring textured finishes, soft tones and golf memorabilia to celebrate North Berwick’s sporting heritage to complete the interior fit-out to appeal to it’s local audience.
In addition, the refurbishment of an old stable block out the back, dubbed the new “Beach House”, has created a whole new trading space outside, doubling the number of covers available. The beautifully designed outdoor area is now the largest in North Berwick and maximising this space has meant it’s now used throughout the year with live entertainment, not just sunny weekends.
The Discovery Group was the ideal choice to take on the new venture. With over five years of successful local experience, Andrena shared Star Pubs’ vision for The Law and personally invested in upgrading the letting rooms, reinforcing their long-term commitment to the site’s success.
