A quirky craft ale bar and restaurant, with a Victorian-inspired aesthetic and field to fork menu, is coming to Accrington.
The Crafty Fox is set to open on Abbey Road -and people are already getting excited about it over on social media.
Paul Fox, who used to run The Attic nightclub on Warner Street and also had a short stint at Hare & Hounds in Clayton-le-Moors, owns The Crafty Fox.
He said it will combine three things that most people love in life “good food, good music and good drink.”
As well as craft ales and alcohols, the business promises to deliver quality food and music performances from independent artists.
Mr Fox said he spotted “a little neglected building in the center of Accrington” and knew there would be a niche in the market for his business vision.
He explained: “I got it in November (2020) and we’ve had quite a few snags along the way.
“The building is more than 170 years old and we absolutely gutted it- it has a contemporary aesthetic but we have still retained many of its original Victorian features.”
However, renovations on such an old building haven’t come easily.
Fox said: “It has been very stressful- there have been a few days when I have just sat down crying thinking ‘what have I done’.”
When the team arrived, they were met with rotted floors, leaking roofs and crumbling walls.
He added: “There was an old willow tree in the back in a Victorian back garden- we got the tree down but we didn’t think about the tons of roots in the back garden.
“I was there with a chainsaw in the back garden thinking we would never get it out!”
There have also been some unique discoveries along the way- including a hidden hairdressers from the 1960s.
He explained: “When we first came in we were taking all the walls off- and we found an old hairdressers from the 1960s behind one of them.
“There were adverts and pictures of people’s haircuts still up on the walls- it has just been walled over!”
However, the majority of renovations have now been completed and the Crafty Fox is even closer to the 52-year-old’s original vision.
He explained: “We have renovated the period staircase, we’ve sandblasted all the walls downstairs so they’re exposed stone now.
“We have invested in a state of the art kitchen and we’ve had an extension put on.
“We totally took the 170-year-old floor up, refurbed it all and then built the bar with it!
“It’s all built with the old floor boards and there’s also an old inglenook fireplace built in the bar.”
During construction, Paul has made sure to include to work of many local businesses and artists.
He explained: “The front signage has been hand painted by a specialist at Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington. We’ve purchased pieces from the art gallery too.
“We’ve also dealt with many local tradesmen.”
When The Crafty Fox opens, hopefully near the start of September/ end of August, they will be specialising in craft beers, lagers and wines.
The food is also not to be missed and Fox says he will be cooking “quality, traditional food that’s done correctly.”
Paul, who used to work at The Three Fishes in Mitton, is no stranger to cooking top-quality food.
They will also be dealing with local farms and sourcing their ingredients from local businesses.
He added: “We stick to the basics and what people like- your fish pies, your burgers- but it’s all done well and it’s all homemade and the quality will be there.
"I'm also well known for my pies.
“However, we will also be working with more unusual ingredients such as ox tongue.”
In terms of entertainment, Paul says there will be a focus on independent bands and more ‘indie’ music.
He said: “We will mainly be playing folk and acoustic music- and anything that’s a little bit different.
“Don’t get me wrong- we will still be playing the odd Kaiser Chiefs, David Bowie and other artists who were quite cutting edge before they became famous.”
People are already excited about the business, with many flocking to their Facebook page to offer words of support.
One person wrote: "Looking good Paul & company- can’t wait to visit you mate."
Another said: "Can’t wait to visit. Get those pies rolling."
"It will be worth all the blood, sweat and tears Paul," wrote a third.
"Looking forward to it."
The Crafty Fox will be opening later this year. You can keep up-to-date with the renovations over on the company’s Facebook page.
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