THE leaseholder of a pub in Colwyn Bay has said it will require a complete refurbishment after it was the target of an arson attack last week.

The Toad, on West Promenade, was targeted on the morning of Tuesday, September 27, causing the pub to close for the foreseeable future.

Leaseholder Pete Hammond, whose association with The Toad goes back nearly 18 years, said he does not yet know how long it will be before the pub can re-open.

Pete also lives in a flat above the pub with his partner and children; that was also smoke damaged as a result of the attack.

Pete said: “It’s terrible. We can’t live in the flat above The Toad, because it’s all smoke damaged.

“I was luckily away on our annual golf trip, and my partner was away with her mum and dad in the Peak District.

“I got a phone call at 8.30am (on Tuesday) from my partner; it was my manager who was alerted to it by another local licensee.

“My manager’s first thought was that my partner was in the flat, which she luckily wasn’t. The fire brigade and the police were alerted, and I flew back on Wednesday to deal with it all.

“There’s damage to the front, internally and the door, but there’s smoke damage throughout the pub, so it’s going to be a complete refurbishment. In terms of closure, we don’t know how long it’s going to be.”

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Colwyn Bay pub closes ‘for the foreseeable’ following arson attack

Pete thanked residents and regulars who have since passed on their best wishes, saying it made him realise how highly regarded he and the pub are in the area.

He has also considered setting up an online donations page to assist with the costs.

Pete added: “We’re insured, so everything is covered. I’ve had a few people suggest a GoFundMe or a Crowdfunder, which we might do.

“My first thought was to secure the building and get my living quarters sorted upstairs, really.

“It’s going to have to have a proper, professional clean, because smoke damage obviously isn’t just a matter of wiping stuff down, and that’s before we even start having everything refurbished.

“All of the upholstery has to be sent away, all of the foam and fabrics have to be re-done, and all of the wallpaper will have to be stripped. It’s going to be a big job.

“It (response) has been absolutely amazing. On social media, we’ve had a load of well-wishes, and while out and about this weekend, even from people who I didn’t actually know.

“You don’t realise what an important part of the community you are, and how much people think about you, until something like this happens.”

On September 28, police confirmed a man had been arrested in connection with two arson offences in the Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea areas.

Today (October 3), a North Wales Police spokesperson confirmed that the arrested man has been released under investigation, while enquiries are ongoing.

North Wales Police said: “As many people living locally will be aware, two incidents of suspected arson took place in the Colwyn Bay/Rhos on Sea area in the early hours of the morning on September 27.

“As a result of proactive police work and our partners in Conwy Council CCTV, an adult male, not from the North Wales area, was arrested very quickly for these offences.

“The investigation is continuing but at this time we have no reason to believe that any further such incidents will take place.”