Coronation Street star pulled first pint at Hereford's Canny Brook Inn

The Canny Brook Inn, owned by brewers Mitchell and Butler, opened at the junction of Grandstand Road and Yazor Road, just across from Hereford's racecourse, in July that year after a £750,000 investment.

Managers Roxanne and David Gregory at the Canny Brook, Hereford. Picture: Hereford Times

Managed by enthusiastic pair Roxanne and Dave Gregory, the Hereford Times reported that the new pub represented a substantial investment by the brewery, and had been built "with the needs of today's pubgoers very much in mind".

"The design of the Canny Brook sets new standards of customer care and comfort and includes facilities for the disabled," the Hereford Times said.

It also featured a large car park and spacious interior with the saloon bar large enough for pub games, a split-level lounge, and a self-contained family room.

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The offering for youngsters included their own bar selling soft drinks and snacks, videos, mini toilets, and a range of tables "to fit everyone from the tiniest tot to the tallest", while outside was a play area with swings and rockers.

Managers Roxanne and David Gregory at the Canny Brook, Hereford. Picture: Hereford Times

Home-cooked food, made by Roxanne, was promised, with the open-all-day pub expecting to create up to 20 new jobs.

Landlord and ex-paratrooper Dave also said he was keen to sign up teams to represent the pub in quoits, darts, pool, and football.

Coronation Street star Sally Whittaker (now Dynevor), known for her character Sally Metcalfe (previously Seddon and Webster), was on hand to open the new pub that summer, pulling the first pint at the Canny Brook.

Coronation Street actress Sally Whittaker at the Canny Brook, Hereford. Picture: Hereford Times

The pub was later bought by pub company Greene King in 2002 and renamed The Grandstand.

At the end of a £350,000 investment programme it opened its doors to a bar full of well-wishers on April 22 that year.

The new-look pub had been developed under the owner's Hungry Horse brand and promised to offer good food in a spacious and family environment.

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