Patient Brian Holmes and the Derriford Hospital team (Image- UHPNT)
Search
16 Mar 2026
Search
16 Mar 2026
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
A mock up image of how the new Strand Social in Barnstaple will look when it reopens at the former Watergate site, previously owned by Wetherspoon, this April. Credit: Amber Taverns
Barnstaple’s latest pub is set to open next month after a major transformation of the former Watergate venue by new owner Amber Taverns.
The former Wetherspoon site will become The Strand Social and officially opens its doors on Monday, April 20 following a complete transformation as part of Amber’s extensive investment plans.
The Watergate closed down in 2025 and was acquired by Amber Taverns in November.
Inside, it has been redeveloped with a full redecoration, new toilets, furniture and multiple large TV screens for sport.
Outside, the pub will have brand new signage scheme and a pavement license to enjoy the sun.
The focus will be very much on entertainment, with private hire karaoke booths, a full Sky and TNT sports package, pool tables and dart boards, as well as a promised an ‘extensive drinks for summer’ including cocktails, gin flights and spritz deals.
Leading the team will experienced pub operator Steve Tinsley, who brings more than 25 years of experience in the industry. Steve is relocating from Stafford in the Midlands, where he currently operates another Amber Taverns venue, to take the helm at The Strand Social.
READ MORE: Is one of Barnstaple’s Wetherspoon pubs about to close down?
Mark Brooke, CEO of Amber Taverns said: “We’re all really excited about the opening of The Strand Social in Barnstaple. The team are working hard on the refurbishment, ready to open next month.
“At Amber, we’re all about offering people a fantastic environment to enjoy a great drink, served by a friendly team, which we’re sure people will get when they visit The Strand Social.”
Amber Taverns runs more than 185 pub venues across the UK and says it focuses on providing safe and welcoming environments.
The pub group is always looking to expand its portfolio with new sites and is offering a £15,000 finder’s fee to anyone who finds their next venue. Examples include high street locations, former pubs, retail spaces, banks or restaurants, with outdoor space or an area to convert.
READ NEXT: Seven neighbours in North Devon town win big in People’s Postcode Lottery
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
