Much-loved Shifnal restaurant reopens after revamp

The investment in The Bell on Church Street has transformed it into a family-friendly bar, grill and restaurant boasting Indian and Nepalese cuisine, a stunning revamped courtyard patio and multiple screens – including one outside – in time to show the World Cup.

The makeover has been carried out by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and The Bell’s operators Indra Pathak – who comes from Nepal – and Lil Khatri, a chef with three decades of international experience. The duo – who also have a pub in Wednesbury – took over The Bell in 2022 when it was rundown and little used and have put it back on the map as a popular eatery. To mark their fourth anniversary at the helm, they are broadening the venue’s appeal and setting it up to thrive for the long term.

The makeover has overhauled the outside of The Bell, painting the building in grey and white and adding new signage and lighting, enhancing the middle of Shifnal. The rear courtyard has been turned into one of the nicest alfresco spots in the town, sporting smart furniture, new planting, festoon lighting, and a heated pergola with a retractable roof that can be used year-round. Opening off the bar, the secluded space will bring the outside into The Bell on warm days.

A stylish redesign has upgraded the interior throughout, making it more comfortable and contemporary. The colourful modern décor includes all-new furniture, soft furnishings and carpets as well as reconditioned timber floors. Decorative floor tiles and feature wallpaper and fabrics complete the look.

To meet the needs of the whole community there is a spacious bar for drinks and socialising, plenty of room for dining and a high-spec AV system showing Sky Sports. In line with The Bell’s new direction as a bar and restaurant, the cellar been refurbished with a state-of-the-art dispense system to ensure consistently perfect pints and there is a whole new range of beers.

An extended menu will accompany The Bell’s new direction encompassing Nepalese and Indian curries, mixed grills and options for children.

When Indra and Lil took over The Bell it was meant to be a temporary arrangement to help out and prevent the pub closing whilst a new operator was found. Four years later, they are still there and have just signed a five-year lease on The Bell.

Explains Indra: “When we started out we thought we’d be here for a couple of months. But people were so friendly and we had such a warm welcome that we fell in love with The Bell and couldn’t bring ourselves to leave. Shifnal is a gorgeous town with a real sense of community. We feel very fortunate to have a place here and to be able to invest in taking The Bell to the next level; we couldn’t have done it without the support of local residents.”

Adds Star Pubs investment manager, Lee Dishington: “We’re delighted to be backing Indra and Lil in their exciting plans for The Bell. It already has a reputation for superb food. With a lovely courtyard garden and a fantastic bar where residents can meet up, it will have even more to offer the town. We’ve been working flat out to reopen in time for the World Cup – The Bell will be a great place for people to gather and enjoy the action together.”