A BEWDLEY pub has recently opened its doors to the public again after undergoing refurbishment which saw original features and history restored.

The Great Western, in Kidderminster Road, originally started life as a beer house called The Rifleman in the 1840s, brewing and selling beer until the Second World War when a shortage of malt ended its run as a brewery.

Restored both inside and out, the exterior of the pub has been returned to the way it looked in 1916 with its traditional sign-writing, while the interior features open fires, traditional brickwork and a chandelier.

To mark its opening, the pub invited the mayor of Bewdley, Councillor Derek Killingworth, along to sample a celebratory pint.

Gary Mills, landlord, said he is looking forward to bringing his years of experience running cask-ale driven pubs to Bewdley.

“We’re thrilled to be re-opening The Great Western and hope to welcome in the next stage of its rich history with our range of quality cask ales from Bewdley Brewery as well as further afield,” he said.

“Great ales, wines and locally-produced fare will be on offer and we welcome everyone to come along and enjoy the lively but relaxed atmosphere our pub has to offer.”

The Great Western is the third pub restored this year by specialists Reclamation Inns, which is currently working on a number of other developments set to open across the Midlands throughout the coming months.

Tony Walsh, managing director at Reclamation Inns, said: “At Reclamation Inns, our philosophy revolves around delivering the best of the past with a taste of the present.

“We like to think of it is not just a philosophy but a movement of enlightenment for pubs from the Victorian era and before which enables them to reclaim and restore the elements which make them truly wonderful and historic places to visit.”