Six-Figure Revamp To Reopen Landmark Rugby Pub

A £280,000 refurbishment is under way to reopen and transform a high-profile Rugby pub that has been closed since mid-January.

The investment in The Courthouse on North Street is being undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and new operator Hari Shankarkrishnamurthy, who also runs The George at Kilsby and The Old Lion at Harborough Magna. The project will turn The Courthouse into a stylish contemporary bar that brings something different to Rugby, caters for all, and is family- and dog-friendly. It will feature live music, late-night DJs, and a pan-Asian-inspired menu that still includes all the pub classics, cooked from scratch. This will include the town centre’s only carvery, serving everything from Sunday roasts to midweek pan-Asian-themed buffets.

The Courthouse is scheduled to reopen in mid-May, creating 20 jobs.

The refurbishment will completely redecorate the exterior of the well-known pub, repainting the building and adding new signage and lighting. The rear garden—one of the largest in Rugby—will also be given a facelift, with smart tables and chairs, parasols, and festoon lighting. There will be covered areas for year-round use, summer barbecues, and an outdoor screen in time for the World Cup.

The interior makeover will replace The Courthouse’s tired, dated décor with a contemporary urban look incorporating stylish furniture, exposed brickwork, and herringbone flooring. The Courthouse will feature a comfortable lounge/dining area and a spacious bar. A large screen will show Sky Sports and all the major tournaments.

With a shortage of nearby nightclubs, the investment will include a DJ booth, smoke machine, professional lighting, and space for a dance floor, enabling The Courthouse to fill a gap in the market as the place to party on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Plans include themed live music nights from 9pm—featuring R&B, 80s and 90s, and noughties covers—followed by DJs until 1am.

On the food front, The Courthouse promises an extensive choice of dishes freshly prepared on the premises, including some of the star dishes from The George at Kilsby. The offering will span breakfasts—both full English and continental—traditional pub classics like burgers and fish and chips, and authentic international cuisine such as curries, tacos, and pasta. The drinks menu will be equally varied, with barista coffee, premium lagers, wines, soft drinks, and an array of cocktails shaken and stirred on site. An overhaul of the cellar will install state-of-the-art dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints.

Says Hari: “The Courthouse has lots of potential but is crying out for investment and TLC to help it thrive in the long term. Our aim is to develop a bar that’s like no other in Rugby and give residents a fantastic place to go on their doorstep without the need to travel to cities like Birmingham and Leicester. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting people’s wallets, so whilst everything will be good quality, prices will be reasonable.”

Comments Star Pubs’ area manager for Rugby, Jean-Paul Russek: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Hari to give The Courthouse a fresh lease of life and safeguard it for the future—it’ll be unrecognisable. Hari has a track record of turning around local pubs. His plans are incredibly exciting. They will provide lots of reasons to visit and make The Courthouse stand out, attracting customers from across Rugby and the wider region.”