Tide has turned as village pub reopens

The Anchor, in Liverpool Road, Hutton, unexpectedly closed in February after its previous landlords walked away.

After months of uncertainty and rumours the site was going to be demolished for housing, the pub reopened yesterday under new landlady Diane Radbron.

Twenty new jobs have also been created at the pub, which has undergone an exterior refurbishment by Inglenook Inns and Taverns.

Managing Director of Inglenook Inns & Taverns, James Waddington, said: “We always endeavour to make our pubs the pivotal part of the community and I think we have really succeeded here.

“There is something for everyone. A great new team and a new menu served in a relaxed setting.

Diane said: “We are all really excited about this new venture and keen to welcome everyone.

“The changes made will put The Anchor ‘back on the map’ and provide even more reasons to visit the pub.”

The new team will be serving traditional pub food with themes such as ‘chippy tea’ on Fridays and even a takeaway pizza service.

The interior is largely unchanged from how it was left by previous landlords Martyn Driscoll and Liam Mills - who were reported to have sunk a total of £90,000 into refurbishing the venue.

The work they carried out included a re-fitting of the main bar area with new carpets, booths, high-end fittings, a new beer draft system costing £17,000, and new toilets costing £38,000.

The side bar which had remained unusued for eight years was also refurbished and reopened as a sports bar, with artifical grass on the floor and eight TV screens.

Work had also begun on converting an upstairs flat into a function room.