Iconic Alfreton Pub Closes for Six-Figure Revamp

A landmark pub in the centre of Alfreton is closing next week for a £175,000 makeover to help secure its long-term future.

The works at The King Alfred on the High Street will transform it into a high-quality local, complete with an all-new games room, an attractive outdoor area and an enhanced evening offer that will make it the go-to destination for a great night out.

The project is being carried out by HEINEKEN-owned Star Pubs and The King Alfred's operators, Chesterfield-born-and-bred Jack Jarvis and his wife, Carla Jarvis. The pub will close after last orders on 31st May and reopen in time to show England's first World Cup match on 17th June.

The investment will fully restore the exterior of the distinctive Tudor-style building – which dates back to the 1930s – enhancing the centre of Alfreton. The works will restore the intricate timber detailing, install new signage and lighting, and repaint the rendered walls in white. The suntrap rear garden will also be transformed, with the aim of creating one of the best outdoor spaces in Alfreton. Improvements include a new pagoda, stylish furniture, planting and festoon lighting.

Inside, the refurbishment will modernise the pub throughout with a smart new décor featuring warm heritage colours. Original features, including the exposed brickwork, timber floors and original wooden bar, will be restored, while all furniture will either be refurbished or replaced. Historic images of King Alfred and Alfreton through the years will adorn the walls. Other improvements include new carpets and a full refurbishment of the pub's toilets.

The new layout will enable The King Alfred to cater for a wide range of customers. It will feature a spacious bar for drinks and socialising, incorporating two raised snug areas and a lounge with three curved booths, alongside a separate games room equipped with a new pool table and dartboards. Four large Sky Sports screens will be carefully positioned throughout the pub, ensuring customers have an excellent view wherever they are.

An expanded programme of events will accompany the refurbishment, helping to re-establish The King Alfred as both a community hub and a lively Friday and Saturday night destination. Plans include a regular quiz night, Play Your Cards Right afternoons and family fun days, alongside discos, karaoke and live entertainment showcasing local talent.

Jack – whose parents were publicans – and Carla are driven by a passion for keeping pubs open. The pair took over The King Alfred in January 2025 when it had lost its way and many of its regulars. Since then, they have worked tirelessly to improve the pub, winning back former customers and attracting new ones. The couple have now signed a five-year lease.

Jack says: "Growing up in pubs, I've seen first-hand the positive difference a good local can make to people's lives. Something is lost when a pub closes. The King Alfred was on its knees when we first saw it, and people were genuinely concerned about its future. It's such a prominent building; everyone knows it, and it means a great deal to local residents. We hope this investment will benefit the town centre and its other businesses, as well as providing a fantastic place for people to meet, socialise and enjoy themselves without the hassle and expense of travelling further afield.

"We'll be kicking things off in style with England's first World Cup match. The staff will be dressed up, the pub will be decorated, and we'll be pulling out all the stops to create an atmosphere that's the next best thing to being at the game."

Star Pubs Investment Manager Len Jackson adds: "We're delighted to be joining forces with Jack and Carla to take The King Alfred to the next level as a fantastic local. They're exactly the stable and committed operators the pub needs. It's an important part of Alfreton, and we want to bring out the very best in it, ensuring it remains a real asset to the town. This investment will transform it."