A HISTORIC inn in dire need of repair has been given a new lease of life and will reopen its doors in May.

Owners Stange & Co Ltd have put more than 12 months of labour, two years of planning and more than £500,000 worth of investment into revamping the Malt Loaf on Church Street in Conwy into the Erskine Arms. The building has been transformed into a restaurant and has 10 “high quality” en-suite guest rooms.

The Erskine Arms, which was initally due to open this month. will create 23 jobs.

The re-name of the pub is a return to its original name, linked to the Erskine family who owned the pub for many years.

Dan McLennan, Stange & Co director, said: “We see huge potential in Conwy for a traditional pub serving fresh quality food for both the people of Conwy and surrounding area and tourists from further a field.

We hope that the Erskine will add to the already vibrant food and drink scene in Conwy and add some extra much needed boutique guest bedrooms to the town.”

The redevelopment of this traditional Georgian Coaching Inn has been supported by the Tourism Investment Support Scheme with £140,000.

Ken Skates, Economy Secretary at the Welsh Government, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support the redevelopment of these two traditional Inns – both the Erskine Arms and the Plas yn Dre in Bala.

“It’s fantastic that they’ve been given a new lease of life and transformed to become a very high quality product providing employment for the area. Both are also at the heart of the town in Bala and Conwy – which adds to the appeal and vibrancy of the towns. I wish both developments the very best for future success.”

Stange & Co also own The Cottage Loaf and The Snowdon in Llandudno and The Glengower in Aberystwyth.