Punters have ruthlessly mocked a Wetherspoon pub’s £850,000 makeover after claiming it looked exactly the same as before.

Birmingham’s Square Peg boozer had been closed for five weeks while it underwent its costly overhaul. 

The Spoons had its grand unveiling earlier this week – and officially re-opened to punters on Wednesday. 

But bemused locals were left disappointed by the makeover, with some saying they ‘couldn’t spot the difference’ while others poked fun at the ‘rip off’ refurbishment.

Tony Kindred was among the first through the door following the refurbishment – but was less than impressed. Writing a review on Facebook, he said: ‘New carpet, check. Bar itself appears to have been re-laminated. But other than that I cannot see where they spent £850k.

‘The layout is exactly the same. Yes it’s had a lick of paint, but £850k???? All I can say is Wetherspoons, is that you have been royally ripped off.’

Perplexed punters have ruthlessly mocked Birmingham’s Square Peg pub following its £850,000 makeover, with some insisting the venue looks ‘exactly the same’ as before

‹ Slide me ›

Before and after images show how the lounge area of the bar has changed 

‹ Slide me ›

The bar area has also changed – although punters said it still looks similar 

Punters were quick to comment on the costly makeover on social media after a video emerged showing the newly-refurbished boozer’s interior 

Others also took to social media to comment on the makeover, with one person writing on Twitter: ‘Spent 5 weeks doing the hoover?? Looks exactly the same.’

‘Nearly £1million for some balloons and a chalkboard…yikes!’ one person wrote. 

Another agreed, adding: ‘Same old scruffy tables. Carpets patched at windows in the front. Someone has pocketed a lot of cash for a small bit of nothing.’

A third person joked: ‘Looks exactly the same with some new Stella glasses,’ while another added: ‘Someone’s been ripped off here.’

‘I can’t see any difference. The floor looks just as sticky as before,’ said one 

As part of the pub’s refurb, it has been given a new bar, flooring and decorations. Additional lighting has been installed alongside new art work.  

The toilets have also been overhauled and new staff facilities added. Twelve new full and part-time jobs have been created thanks to the huge refurbishment. 

The Square Peg, which first opened in January 1995, is managed by Dale Edwards. Commenting on the news of the reopening, 

‹ Slide me ›

Before and after some of the work to improve the floor inside the Square Peg in Birmingham 

The newly refurbished bar (left) pictured during a special preview event earlier this week and  a shot of the bar before it was renovated (right)

But some claimed the pub’s makeover hadn’t gone far enough (pictured is the pub at a launch event after the refurb)

Mr Edwards said: ‘The Square Peg is an extremely popular pub and we are looking forward to welcoming customers back to the new- look premises. 

‘This investment highlights Wetherspoon’s commitment to offering customers the best possible pub.’

The Square Peg was once branded ‘the worst pub in Birmingham’ by disappointed punters who’ve left a slew of one-star TripAdvisor ratings. 

Critics previously slammed the pub for its ‘rude staff’ and ‘dirty’ interior, with more than 100 reviewers giving it the lowest possible grade of ‘terrible’ on TripAdvisor.

But not everyone has been so harsh – 131 punters gave it top marks rating it ‘excellent’, while more than 200 gave it a ‘very good’ four stars. 

‘Visited the square peg for the first time today after a trip to Birmingham with my family to see the Commonwealth Games,’ said one customer who gave it five stars. 

‘I was really impressed with the friendly staff and good food, good value for money and quick service. Great little stop off for ‘dinner and drinks’ if your out for the day at Brum. Highly recommended!’

Wetherspoons declined to comment about the recent criticism of the pub’s makeover.