Major Investment to Reopen Prominent Prestwick Bar After an 18-Month Closure

A £210,000 refurbishment is set to start to reopen a well-known Prestwick bar that has been closed since October 2024.

The investment in Jel on The Cross in Prestwick will turn it into a traditional but stylish pub serving great home-cooked food and will be renamed ‘The Vintage’ to mark its change of direction.

The project is being carried out by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and new licensees Jack and Rachel Sullivan.

The overhaul breaks ground in the week commencing 13th April, and The Vintage will open by late May.

The external works will repaint the building dark green and install metro wall tiles, coach-style lighting and gold signage, enhancing the centre of Prestwick. The large rear 40-seater garden will have a facelift too, decking it out with new furniture, parasols and festoon lighting.

The makeover will transform the interior, upgrading it throughout with a warm, cosy décor incorporating rich colours, a real fire and comfortable classic furniture such as Chesterfield armchairs and deep-button upholstered bar stools. In a nod to its name, the pub will have a vintage feel with exposed brickwork, timber floors and wood panelling. Quirky artwork and features – such as scaffolding shelves on the revamped bar – will complete the look. There will be plenty of seating options, from new booths – including an L-shaped one for larger groups – to a drinks shelf in the front window with high bar-style seating where customers can watch the world go by.

Other improvements include a quality coffee machine and a kitchen refit to enable Jack and Rachel to introduce freshly prepared food. The menu will focus on hearty homemade pub favourites done right using locally sourced ingredients. Dishes will range from steak pies to fish & chips and Balmoral chicken. On the drinks front, customers can look forward to a wide selection spanning carefully chosen wines, handmade cocktails and premium lagers. New state-of-the-art dispense equipment in the cellar will ensure consistently perfect pints.

Jack and Rachel want The Vintage to contribute to Prestwick life. On the cards are a quiz night and acoustic music from local artists to bring people together, and the duo are keen to support events like Prestfest and the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.

Taking the helm of The Vintage is a dream come true for Jack – who has been holidaying in Prestwick all his life – and Rachel, a former primary school teacher whose family ran pubs. Says Rachel: “It’s bringing together everything we’ve been looking for. We’ve always wanted a pub of our own and we both love Prestwick. As soon as we walked into Jel, it just felt right. Very few opportunities come up here, so we feel fortunate. Our aim is to make The Vintage a welcoming, friendly local with a homely atmosphere, where people can enjoy socialising along with great food and drinks. The building is in a sad state, but the designs are beautiful and The Vintage will look fantastic. We can’t wait to open the doors and meet everyone.”

Adds Star Pubs’ operations director for Scotland, Matt Dyson: “We’re delighted to be giving such a prominent Prestwick pub a new lease of life and backing Rachel and Jack in their venture. They will be the steady hands the pub needs; they know Prestwick well and their vision for The Vintage totally aligns with ours. As an independently operated business, The Vintage will complement the other pubs and bars in Prestwick whilst bringing something slightly different to the town. We’re working flat out to get it open in time for the start of summer.”