WREXHAM’S Turf Hotel is to reopen following a £60,000 facelift.

Run for the past 12 years by pub partner Wayne Jones with help from six members of his family, The Turf is physically attached to Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground.

The football club was formed at the pub, in 1864.

Following an exterior refurbishment last year, the Mold Road venue has had a comprehensive interior makeover by market-leading community pub operator Hawthorn Leisure.

It will open on Wednesday (September 25) and now boasts new flooring and carpets, modernised toilets, a new colour scheme, and two new pool tables.

The bar has also been reconfigured, and customers can watch BT Sport on four screens.

“It feels huge now,” said Mr Jones, “and much more open.

"The pub was looking tired, and needed some money spent on it. It’s all much fresher now.”

Mr Jones, who has decked out part of The Turf with Wrexham AFC memorabilia, runs it with what he calls ‘seven very valued members of staff’, six of whom are family: wife Shelley, son Luke, sisters Kelly, Rebecca and Rachael, plus cousin Jack.

He explained: "It really is a family affair, and it’s my dream job.

"I’ve put my life and soul into this place, which is something of a pub for everyone, and not just a match day meeting place for football fans, many of whom have become friends over the years.

“Lots of families come here, and because we’re close to the university and Wrexham General railway station, and just five minutes from the town centre, we attract lots of different types of people, and have a very loyal group of regulars, too.

"We’ve got a bit of everything going on to be honest.”

And as part of Mr Jones' plans to make The Turf ‘even bigger and better’, he plans to introduce an outdoor decking area in time for next summer.

Hawthorn Leisure operates more than 650 community pubs across England, Scotland and Wales owned by specialist leisure and retail property company NewRiver.

Mr Jones said: “I’m very pleased with Hawthorn Leisure, and can’t praise them enough. They listened to my needs, and in response have spent more than £60,000 on the pub.”

Just 14 miles away, in Mold, Hawthorn Leisure has invested a further £50,000 refurbishing The Griffin.

The High Street pub has been fully redecorated, had its toilets updated, and now features a full live sports package via Sky Sports and BT Sport.

Managing director of operations, Mark McGinty, said: “Wayne has done a wonderful job at The Turf for more than a decade, so when he spoke to us about what he’d like to do to improve the pub we were only too happy to back his plans with investment. "We’ll always be looking at extending his tenancy agreement in the coming months. Hawthorn Leisure is always keen to support those pub partners who have a vision, and we will help them in any way we can to run successful, sustainable businesses.”