Look inside re-opened Dinorben Arms in Bodfari after £2m renovation
An historic pub has re-opened following a major renovation project.
The Dinorben Arms in Bodfari, between Denbigh and Mold, was bought in 2015 by the Brunning and Price group after lying empty for nearly a decade.
It dates back to the 17th century but had fallen into a state of disrepair after closing in 2007.
The group have invested more than £2m into the site and this evening it re-opened as a gastro pub.
The works have taken over a year with a new bar room added to the back of the pub, with the old well as its key feature.
The character of the original pub remains in the front section, with open fires, low oak beams and various nooks and crannies.
But the bar room is more spacious to house the 164 internal seats, and two terraces have been created with room for 34 seats to the lower terrace and a further 112 on the upper terrace, which has a fire pit to keep diners warm.
John Unsworth has taken the reins of the pub and has been joined by head chef Rob John.
John said: “I’m looking forward to re-igniting and re-establishing a lovely well known village pub for everybody.
“The location couldn’t be better as being at one end of the Clwydian Range in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Denbigh is perfect walking country with stunning landscape.
“I met my wife, Angharad, through Brunning and Price as she was also running a pub. She is originally from Mold, so it’s almost a home coming for her, being not so far away in Dinorben.
“Having travelled many times to Snowdonia when I was growing up to climb the mountains with my dad, passing through Clwyd I got to know the area quite well despite not actually visiting the Dinorben in it’s former glory days.
“All my working life has been involved with food and drink, simply because I love it and I love good pubs. I suppose it makes sense to make a living out of what you enjoy doing most.
“With help from a team of like-minded chefs and warm enthusiastic crew members we hope to give everyone that lovely ‘pubby’ experience.”