A reinvention is underway in Prestwick, where the Jel on the Cross bar – closed since October 2024 – is being prepared for a new business direction as ‘The Vintage’.
The £210,000 refurbishment project is being carried out by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and the site’s new licensees Jack and Rachel Sullivan.
The overhaul will ‘break ground’ this week, with the aim of opening The Vintage by late May.
Taking the helm of the unit is described as ‘a dream come true’ for Jack – who has been holidaying in Prestwick all his life – and Rachel, a former primary school teacher, whose family ran pubs.
Said Rachel: “It’s bringing together everything we’ve been looking for. We’ve always wanted a pub of our own and we both love Prestwick. As soon as we walked into Jel, it just felt right.
“Very few opportunities come up here, so we feel fortunate. Our aim is to make The Vintage a welcoming, friendly local with a homely atmosphere, where people can enjoy socialising along with great food and drinks.
“The building is in a sad state, but the designs are beautiful and The Vintage will look fantastic,” she added. “We can’t wait to open the doors and meet everyone.”
The external works on the unit – which for many years was operated as the Eagle Tavern – will repaint the building dark green and install metro wall tiles, coach-style lighting and gold signage.
The large rear 40-seater garden will have a facelift too, getting decked out with new furniture, parasols and festoon lighting.
Inside, the makeover will upgrade throughout with’ warm, cosy décor incorporating rich colours, a real fire and comfortable classic furniture’, evoking a ‘vintage feel’with exposed brickwork, timber floors and wood panelling.
Seating options will include new booths – including an L-shaped one for bigger groups – and a drinks shelf in the front window with high bar-style seating where customers can watch the world go by.
Other improvements include a kitchen refit to enable Jack and Rachel to introduce freshly prepared food, from a menu focussed on ‘homemade pub favourites done right’.
The Sullivans want The Vintage to contribute to Prestwick life with quiz nights, acoustic music from local artists, and support for local events like Prestfest and the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.
Star Pubs’ operations director for Scotland, Matt Dyso, said: “We’re delighted to be giving such a prominent Prestwick pub a new lease of life and backing Rachel and Jack in their venture.
“They will be the stable hands the pub needs; they know Prestwick well and their vision for The Vintage totally aligns with ours.
“As an independently operated business, The Vintage will complement the other pubs and bars in Prestwick, whilst bringing something slightly different to the town. We’re working flat out to get it open in time for the start of summer.”
