A PUB refurbishment is set to create seven new jobs in Halesowen – doubling the current number of staff.

The Cobham Arms in Lapal is about to undergo an eight-week, £98,000 transformation, with plans for the Marston’s-owned pub to be completed two weeks before Christmas on December 8.

Both bars will be refurbished, with the rear bar being converted into a more family-friendly 80-seater restaurant and the front bar catering more for drinkers and community events.

The kitchen will be upgraded and additional staff are being recruited to support a new pub classics food menu service.

Hayley Bishop and Scott McGeough, who are local to the area, have only been running the Cobham for eight weeks but have 12 years of experience in running bars and restaurants in Birmingham, Moseley and Droitwich.

Scott said: “It has been fantastic to take on this lovely community pub – we’ve known it all our lives – and even better to oversee this fantastic new facelift.

“We want to keep it as a much-loved community pub but have plans to build the food side of the business by becoming famous for our Sunday roasts, as well as organising some great entertainment nights too.”

The pub will see some closures over the refurbishment period, with the front bar being closed from the last week in November and the rear bar being closed from December 4, with plans to re-open everything a few days later.

Scott added: “We are excited about the next few weeks. It won’t be without its challenges, but we know our loyal customers will stay with us and we’ll have a great month of festive food and drinks throughout December to celebrate the new and improved Cobham Arms.”

Tom Maddison, Marston’s area manager, said: “This is one of the biggest investments we have made this year and it will make a vast improvement to the Cobham.

“We wish Scott and Hayley all the best.”