Whalley pub reopened after refurbishment

The Dog Inn, Whalley, has reopened following an extensive refurbishment both inside and out, led by interior design practice IMD.

Working closely with owners Lee and Jo McLoughlin, the refurbishment has retained the character and heritage of the building while completely reimagining its facilities. Improvements include a new kitchen, upgraded audio-visual system, redesigned and enlarged beer garden, refurbished toilets, enhanced seating layouts, a more intimate dining area and increased capacity, alongside the return of much-loved features including the jukebox and pool table. 

Stephen Yardley, managing director of IMD, said: "It's not often you get the opportunity to redesign your own local pub. There was a real responsibility to respect what The Dog Inn means to the village while ensuring it continues to thrive for many years to come. The feedback since opening has been incredibly positive, which is hugely rewarding for everyone involved."

Owner Lee McLoughlin said: "The design and support we received from Stephen and the IMD team has been exceptional. They listened to what we wanted, respected our vision for The Dog Inn and helped us bring it to life. We're absolutely delighted with the result."

Following the official reopening, hundreds of customers visited over the first weekend to experience the transformation, creating a busy and successful first few days for the newly refurbished venue.

The Dog Inn is the second high-profile Whalley hospitality project completed by IMD
in recent years. In 2021, the practice helped design the award-winning Whalley Wine Bar on behalf of independent wine merchants Tom and Jen Jones. 

Tom said: “We started the design ourselves but when we hit a creative block, the IMD team were on hand and instantly understood what we wanted to create. They didn't simply help design a beautiful space, they helped created an environment where people genuinely want to spend time. Five years on the quality and timelessness of the design still shows and that's testament to their creativity, attention to detail and understanding of the hospitality sector.”