Pictures of the yet unopened, but long-awaited, Belsize Park pub reveal a return to fun, playful environment.

The Sir Richard Steele's pub, in Haverstock Hill, is due to open on Friday Feb 24 after a blunder saw both local papers, the Ham & High and Camden New Journal, given the wrong date.

People turned up on February 17 expecting a party but were unfortunately turned away.

Jimmy McGrath, who has taken on a 20-year lease after owning the pub in the 1980s, also owns the King William IV on Hampstead High Street.

A temporary notice hangs on the facade outside saying "Under Old Management".

"I may have been hungover," said Jimmy. "It will all be ok, I'm just sorry people turned up. 

"I don't know what happened to tell you the truth.

"We are definitely opening this Friday (Feb 24).

Ham & High: A temporary sign hangs outside the Sir Richard Steele's pub which will open on February 24 A temporary sign hangs outside the Sir Richard Steele's pub which will open on February 24 (Image: Joe Reaidi)

"We're all set to go, we're nearly there, we're doing bits and bobs as we go."

One worker, who asked not to be named, allowed the Ham & High  to take a look inside.

READ MORE: Confusion over wrong The Sir Richard Steele reopening date

Jimmy is intent on bringing back "happy times" to the pub, having told the Ham&High: "The pub was available and I always liked it. There were happy times there and memories so why not."

Inside a portrait of Sir Richard Steele, the writer, playwright, and politician and co-founder of The Spectator magazine, has been brought to the front of the pub in front of a large bar.

Ham & High: Just one of the notices in the Sir Richard Steele's pub to entertain puntersJust one of the notices in the Sir Richard Steele's pub to entertain punters (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

A sign over one of the two exits reads Nobody Gets Out sober.

A worker, who asked not to be named, said: "It's wonky for a reason as we know some people will say it's not straight."

A picture of Jimmy's former partner adds another cheeky twist.

Stairs leading to the former function room upstairs now lead nowhere after it was turned into flats by previous owners Faucett Inns.

Now a large function room is being decked out at the back of the pub.

Ham & High: The redecoration of a large function room at the back of the Richard Steel's is in progress ahead of the grand openingThe redecoration of a large function room at the back of the Richard Steel's is in progress ahead of the grand opening (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

The walls had "crazy wallpaper", which has all been stripped back and replaced with posters.

"It's a bit like it used to be, a bit of bric and brac here and there.

"Jimmy needs to come and do a little bit more and mess it up," he added.

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