THE first part of a three-phase development is complete at a pub on Ely s historic riverside. Steve Haslam, new landlord of The Cutter Inn at Annesdale, has spent £80,000 renovating what used to be the old restaurant and turned it into the Captain s Loung

THE first part of a three-phase development is complete at a pub on Ely's historic riverside.

Steve Haslam, new landlord of The Cutter Inn at Annesdale, has spent £80,000 renovating what used to be the old restaurant and turned it into the Captain's Lounge, a bar with a contemporary feel.

The opening marks the start of a three-part revamp at the pub, with the old Riverside Bar set for a facelift and a 90-seater restaurant being added. All the work should be complete by the beginning of June, costing about £500,000.

The Captain's Lounge was opened by Mr Haslam's wife Jo, and Ely eel-catcher Sid Merry, who has been drinking in the pub for 50 years. Both shared birthdays on the same day last Wednesday.

As an added treat, for a week Mr Merry drunk pints of beer costing 1s 11p - the price of a pint 50 years ago.

Mr Haslam said: "It's gone very well so far. We've had people coming in here who've only been in once who've now been in three times in a week.