A plush Italian restaurant and three new bars are taking shape in Brigg town centre.
They will be welcome additions to the well-known Exchange hospitality venue located between Wrawby Street and Bigby Street.
The Hunt Group acquired local businessman Joe Mullen's mid-18th century complex some weeks ago.
Work to create these new additions, and other features, is well under way.
The Italian restaurant & bar - catering for local demand - will front Wrawby Street, following conversion of the former Exchange Tavern premises.
The eatery's name, and further details, will be released ahead of the opening next year.
Beyond the restaurant, and adjoining one of the rear car parking areas, will be Henry's, a large sports bar featuring big screen TVs so customers can enjoy coverage of major events across the world, and The Doghouse - a lounge-style facility.
A range of food, including snacks, will be on offer to bar visitors, with local sports teams receiving a warm welcome.
The Doghouse will become the first of the additions to open to the public next month (November). Henry's will follow early next year.
The Hunt Group has asked us to stress there will be three bars opening on the site.
"The Italian will be a bar and restaurant, so people may visit just for drinks, if they wish," the company says.
"Henry’s will be a sports bar and live entertainment venue. We hope to have bands and artists performing on weekends when there are no big sporting events."
The Exchange has 42 guest bedrooms - in its main building and the nearby courtyard - and a programme of refurbishment is under way.
Andy Carrington, who many local people will know from his years at the town's White Hart pub, has already taken up duties as manager of the Exchange bars.
Dating back to 1760, the Exchange is Brigg's only grade two* (star) listed building - a private school and a gentlemen's club for the well-to-do featuring among previous uses.
The area where The Doghouse is now taking shape was once occupied by Scruffy's theme bar, which many Brigg people will remember for its 'Emerald Isle' decor and supplies of Guinness.
However, the new addition will offer something very different for customers when it opens, with luxury seating.
The Exchange will be a 'free house' - not tied to one brewery - and this will be reflected in a wide range of drinks being offered.
Some of those who enjoyed lengthy visits to Scruffy's more than 20 years ago will remember being in the proverbial Doghouse when they finally returned home!
Brigg Blog was invited down on Thursday afternoon (October 7) by the Hunt Group to view the project taking shape and hear about plans for the recently acquired venue.
It's good to see considerable investment being made in new features at the Exchange while retaining the historic fabric of one of the town's best-known and most distinctive landmarks.
The bedroom and actual bed at the Exchange used by Prime Minister Winston Churchill when he made a hush-hush war-time D-Day-related visit have been retained.
The same goes for the distinctive metal sculptures of local interest within the courtyard area.
With work progressing, it's too early to post pictures showing the new additions yet to be completed.
Seen above are views of the Exchange taken from Bigby Street and Wrawby Street, and some of the rooms in the courtyard.
