WEST BULLS TEAM VOLUNTEER FOR CHARITY DURING £250,000 PUB MAKEOVER

They are used to pulling more than 2,000 pints and serving 3,500 meals to customers on a weekly basis. Now, staff from the West Bulls pub have turned their hand to DIY, helping a local charity to prepare its new home while the west Hull venue undergoes a £250,000 makeover. They spent a day helping Men in Sheds, which helps to combat isolation and loneliness among men, installing insulation and cladding, and painting, in preparation for the charity’s official opening at the beginning of August. The charity, which is refurbishing a base at Oak Road Playing Fields, off Beverley Road, Hull, encourages men to get involved in different projects and activities, such as woodwork, photography and IT, sharing skills and hobbies with each other, and already has almost 60 members. With our support at Smile, the West Bulls staff are aiming to raise £10,000 for local causes over the next 12 months, with Men in Sheds being their first community-based activity. Over the next 12 months, West Bulls staff also hope to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham and Hull and East Riding (HER) Breast Friends, and customers will be able to use tokens to vote for additional charities to support. Chefs from West Bulls have also taken part in one of the Smile Foundation’s Little Devil’s Kitchen events, which involves primary school youngsters creating culinary delights in the kitchen as part of a team. Tessa Wray, Smile’s Business Developer, said: “It’s fantastic that West Bulls can utilise their employees in this way while the pub is undergoing the refurbishment. “The number of meals they serve each week shows how many people access the pub from the community. “By giving back to the community in this way, they can support causes which are close to the hearts of their customers and make a difference locally. “It’s great they are supporting and working with local charities.” West Bulls chef Charlotte Parker was among the staff who helped to clad the Men in Sheds base. She said: “We are really pleased to help others out and it’s a great thing to do while the pub is closed.” Kitchen assistant Alan Shann said: “It’s brilliant to be able to put something back into the community and help people at the same time. “I’m sure we’ll get support from our customers and the community to support these charities and reach the fundraising target.” West Bulls, which is on the border of west Hull and Cottingham, is due to reopen to the public on Friday, July 22, complete with an upgraded bar and restaurant area, new pizza oven, family booths, sports area and salad bar. A “local hero” will cut the ribbon to officially declare the venue open at 11am. The refurbishment is set to create 18 new jobs, taking the team to 41 members off staff across the bar, kitchen and management roles. Dave said: “The refurbishment is going really well and the pub looks fantastic already. It’s unbelievable. “I think our customers will love it. It’s so bright and much more modern. “We can’t wait to reopen the doors and welcome everyone to the new look West Bulls.”