An £850,000 refurbishment by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Scottish hospitality operators, The Discovery Group, has reopened The County Hotel in North Berwick as ‘top quality family and dog friendly venue’ The Law.
Closed since summer 2019, the High Street space reopened this week with two separate bars, a restaurant, 11 ensuite letting rooms and one of the largest beer gardens in town, creating 25 new jobs and with North Berwick resident Donna McCallum at the helm as its new licensee.
McCallum said: “I’ve lived in North Berwick for years and never dreamed one day I would run The Law.
“It’s great news for the town to have it open again and looking so fantastic – it’s a real asset. The whole team is excited to be welcoming people in for the first time in six years.”
Discovery Group director Steven Winton said: “The Law looks sensational, better than we ever dared hope. The local interest has been phenomenal, with people keen to have a peek at the changes. We have even been getting booking enquiries for Christmas.
“We’re very appreciative of all the support. North Berwick is a wonderful place that is sought out by visitors to Scotland from all over the world. We feel fortunate to have a second site here and want The Law to add to all the town has to offer.”
Star Pubs’ operations director for Scotland, Matt Dyson, added: “This is our largest investment of the year in Scotland, and it’s reflected in the transformation – The Law looks amazing and completely unrecognisable inside.
“The Discovery Group are just the team to relaunch The Law – they’ve got a reputation for operating superb venues across East Scotland. We’re delighted to be backing them with their latest venture. The many unique touches they’ve given The Law, will bring something different to North Berwick.”
The revamp has completely remodelled the building to a high standard, replacing ‘everything from the lights to the loos’.
The ground floor now has a comfortable contemporary front bar with screens showing sports, as well as a second bar – The Beach Hut – overlooking the rear garden and with its own pizza oven.
The two floors above house a freshly-decorated restaurant – bookable for functions – and 11 letting rooms, each named after a Scottish malt whisky.
On the food and drink front, customers can expect a freshly prepared menu throughout the day from breakfast and morning coffee & cake to afternoon teas and dinners.
Given The Law’s seaside location, seafood dishes are a specialty. Dogs are in for a treat, too, with their own doggy meals plus biscuits and water on the house.
Marking its new direction, the venue has been renamed The Law after the well-known North Berwick Hill. That local link follows through in the new décor, which has subtle nods to North Berwick and the surrounding area running through it.
