As previously reported, a planning application submitted to Warrington Borough Council in May suggested that this was the case.
Now, it can be officially confirmed that historic pub Walton Arms, on Old Chester Road in Walton, will become a Pesto Italian restaurant.
Walton Arm was built in the 1800s, but due to some unknown fate, the building was rebuilt in 1875, with its mock Tudor-style frontage
The pub is currently operated by Vintage Inns, which is part of the Mitchells and Butlers (M&B) brand operator group – which bought the Pesto brand in May last year.
Pesto says it offers ‘authentic and freshly prepared Italian small plates at sensible prices in an informal, relaxed setting’.
Its nearby venues include Widnes, Tarporley, Appley Bridge near Wigan, Chester, and Trafford Centre.
Pesto previously had interest in converting the closed Fiddle I’th Bag pub in Burtonwood, but high costs involved in rebuilding the premises led to these plans being abandoned.
Neil Gatt, who co-founded Pesto with his wife Sara, spoke to the Warrington Guardian about the decision to convert Walton Arms.
Some of the Italian dishes available at Pesto
“Pesto was bought by M&B last year, and it likes Pesto very much as a brand, and it fits very well with its existing portfolio,” he said.
“It has an estate of something like 1,650 sites and a seven-year investment cycle, and as part of that process, it looks to invest in each of its sites every seven years or so.
“Walton Arms is due an investment, so it was a matter of whether or not it suited a Pesto operation, and from our side, on the Pesto side of things, we feel it does.
“We are well known in the area, with operations in Widnes, near Chester, near Tarporley, south of Northwich, and also on the Wirral, so it fits nicely with our estate.
“It is a beautiful pub, in need of a bit of love and attention, and we will give it to it.”
The now-approved planning application stated that work will include a feature canopy to cover the rear entrance, including new stepped access.
There will also be perimeter fencing and a feature entrance wall, as well as alterations to the car park, including new tarmac, lighting, and white lining.
This will be topped off with a refurbishment of existing signage, tree work, the removal of ivy, and structural repairs to cracks on the principal elevation.
Some of the Italian dishes available at Pesto
Giving more detail, Neil said: “In terms of outside, for a start, we are going to resurface the car park and get rid of the potholes, with a new entrance into the car park and a bit of a feature wall.
“There will be some new fencing going around the outside, new signage, there will be a new entrance canopy, and then a refurbishment to the inside too.”
Work is set to start on the conversion on July 14, with the aim for Pesto Warrington to open on September 8.
Neil was asked, for people who are not aware of Pesto restaurants and have never been to one before, what can they expect?
“I think we have a very unique offering in that a lot of our dishes are recognisable as Italian food, but we operate with a small plates menu,” he commented.
“The great thing about it is that you can choose three or four dishes and experience lots of different flavours, instead of just one big plate of pasta, for example.
“We feel it is a unique way of trying different types of Italian cuisine, sharing it with friends and family, in a nice, quality environment, but with a relaxed atmosphere.
Some of the Italian dishes available at Pesto
“We are quite unique in what we do. The pub environment is something that we started doing back in 2011, when we converted Cabbage Hall in Tarporley to a Pesto.
“That has worked really well, and combining the traditional British pub with Italian cuisine, with the twist on it of small plates, I think is received really well.
“We trade very well across the country, and I am sure it will be no different at Walton Arms.”
On staffing and recruitment, Neil added: “We will be doubling the workforce.
“There are 20 people working there at the moment, and they will be staying, and we are probably going to have a team consisting of around 50 people.
“So, there are new jobs being created by the scheme as well. We are looking for all sorts of roles.
“We are just about to start the recruitment campaign, so if people watch out for opportunities and visit our website, they can see what is available.”
Those who wish to apply for the new positions being created can email waltonarms@pestorestaurants.com