BUCKING the current trend for pubs closing their doors across the country, the Secret Garden, near Hereford, will shortly be opening a brand new business which promises a country pub with a difference.

News that the Munstone pub, formerly the Rose Garden and in latter years known as the ‘Rosie’, is back in business has brought loud cheers from many, not to mention a round of applause from Shelwick & Holmer Parish Council.

Vicky Lightowler and her family will be launching the Secret Garden, a pub deep in pastoral countryside yet only a short hop from the city on March 2 at 6pm.

For the past year the property has been run as a wedding venue by Vicky, and the decision to reopen the pub has come like a breath of fresh air to many.

“We went to introduce ourselves to the parish council and they were really pleased with the news and gave us a round of applause!” says Vicky.

“Most people remember the pub as the Rose Garden and for a few years it was known as the Rosie but it has been closed for a while now.”

Surrounded by fields, the family decided that the new name worked well and there are plans to develop the ‘Secret Garden’ theme.

“It will be a country pub with a little bit of a twist with live music on Fridays, food including Sunday lunches and a breakfast club on Saturdays,” she says.

There will also be a children’s play area, a dog-friendly section and a welly-rack for walkers.

“It will be very much family orientated and we’ll have a enclosed pitch with goalposts for children to play football in safety,” she adds.

One thing is certain: after the stylish launch, which will offer complementary canapes, music and Kiegan the magician, the new pub will be a secret no more.