THE new landlord of a much-loved Whitchurch pub is looking forward to it finally opening.

Gary Colbourne and his wife Caz have taken over the Wheatsheaf in Green End, which has been without a landlord since 2021, and will be opening the doors on Saturday, January 28.

Gary and Caz will be running the pub after spending the last five and a half years as landlords of The Old Town Hall Vaults and Gary is looking forward to the challenge.

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He said: "We are very excited and can't wait.

"It has been a long time coming and previously we were the licensees of The Old Town Hall Vaults.

"We are delighted to be staying in the town. It is a wonderful town with wonderful people and a wonderful clientelle.

"We just cannot wait to open and welcome people through the door."

The pub will be providing accomodation with five letting rooms.

Gary said it had been difficult to make the decision to leave The Old Town Hall Vaults, but added they felt it was time for a new challenge.

He said: "We had some many fun times there.

"But it is time for a new challenge and we are ready for it."

While the kitchen is not fully open, Gary and Kaz intend to open it soon as possible and serve food to customers, including Sunday dinners.

The pub will be hosting many events under its new landlords and he has received books.

Gary said: "We are going to be keeping the monthly quizzes going.

"The folk nights will be carrying on and we will have live music on a regular basis.

"We have got a 60th birthday party tomorrow.

"We have got quite a few birthday parties coming in."

Gary believes many people in Whitchurch will be looking forward to seeing the pub open again.

He said: "I think people are very excited.

"There is a lot of excitement around the town as people used to drink here.

"It is a lovely building with a lovely beer garden.

"People are excited to come back through the door and see what changes we have made and what sort of pub we will be."