Pub company looks to upgrade Original Keys

The company which has bought the Original Keys in Driffield town centre has outlined its plans for the pub’s future.

Admiral Taverns has submitted a planning application to East Riding of Yorkshire Council to make improvements to the Market Place venue which closed last month.

The changes include replacing ground floor windows and doors, installing new bifold doors and two new pagodas, one with a retractable roof.

Based in Chester, Admiral Taverns is the UK’s leading community pub group, with more than 1,600 predominantly wet-led community pubs.

Its planning application says: “We consider that the new external proposals are very minimal in size and improve the visual impact of the property.

“The new windows and doors to the front elevation will ensure the successful long term operation of the premises.

“The works to the rear yard will predominantly be out of sight within the yard boundaries and pose little impact to the surrounding businesses and residents. The improvement of this external seating area will only have a positive impact on the local area.”

The Original Keys closed last month, on the same weekend that The Tiger Inn also closed its doors.

The former owners Matt and Leigh Rogers had run the Keys for eight years, but said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and its subsequent price rises, as well as recent violence in Driffield town centre were the major factors behind their decision.

It is thought that the improvements at the pub, which the planning application is part of, would be part of a £200,000 investment.