Johnny Whitely, the former England and Hull Rugby League player and coach and current Huddersfield Giants player Tommy Lee are set to join pub goers next week to celebrate the re-opening of Hessle pub The Marquis of Granby.

Jonny, the 15 seasons Hull player who received an MBE for services to rugby league in 2005 and Tommy who joined Huddersfield Giants as hooker from Wakefield Wildcats this season will meet customers during the pub’s opening night on Tuesday 29 May.

The pub, on The Square in Hessle near Hull closed on Sunday 20th May for a nine-day refurbishment and will open in time for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations due to take place in the Square over the bank holiday. The makeover, totalling £135,000, will transform the pub from top to toe with new décor throughout including fresh carpets, curtains, furniture and specially installed booth areas perfect for dining or small parties. Even the pub’s frontage will be getting a lick of paint with a striking new black and white colour scheme and new signage.

The pub will re-open its doors during the afternoon of Tuesday 29 May hosting a bubbly and canapé reception for loyal customers and local businesses from 5pm that evening.

The opening comes just in time as the nation gears up for four days of celebrations in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

“What better way to see in the celebrations than with a brand new-look pub”, said The Marquis of Granby’s General Manager John Foster. “During our first Saturday back trading we’ll be hosting a 50s themed party to mark the decade that the Queen took to the throne. We’d love to see as many people come in 50s dress as possible and they’ll be plenty of prizes and giveaways for those that do dress up.”

The Square in Hessle is set to be a centre point for Council organised celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee with live entertainment, stalls and a fairground entertaining the people of Hull throughout the Sunday 3 and Monday 4 June. In the pub, customers will be encouraged to join in the party mood and take to the mike for a family fun afternoon of karaoke from 3-7pm on Monday 4 June.

“The pub was looking a bit tired and in need of some TLC so we’ve brought in a team of designers and builders to freshen it up. Customers are going to see quite a difference. We’ve also got a new Spring Summer menu in place with some brilliant value for money offers making dining out an affordable treat”, John added.