Landmark pub reopens after refurb (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Landmark pub reopens after refurb

7:00am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News

A LANDMARK pub has reopened its doors a month later than planned, after flooding damaged parts of the building during refurbishment work, creating 10 jobs.

The Talbot Inn, in Newnham Bridge, was due to reopen early last month  but the date had to be put back after flooding damaged parts of the historic country inn’s cellar and bar area, in July.

The former coaching inn, which closed in 2009, has been changed into a 90-seat gastro pub with seven en-suite bedrooms, private dining and meeting facilities, following a 10-month restoration programme.

Owner Ian Dowling said: “We’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved with the refurbishment of the Talbot.

“It has been a long and detailed project but our aim was to get every feature as perfect as possible. This has been achieved with a contemporary interior while also managing to retain the building’s rustic and historic charm.”

He added: “I have lived in the area for a number of years and regularly thought how sad it was to watch such an iconic building decaying, so when the opportunity came up to buy the Talbot I jumped at the chance to transform it back to its former glory.

“The feedback from our first customers has been exceptional and we’ll continue to try and impress everyone who visits in the future.”

Mr Dowling said he hoped the building would be seen as a landmark to be proud of for many years to come.