NEW experienced managers aim to “build the right atmosphere” and make the most of the “potential” at a Ledbury pub.

The Full Pitcher, New Street, has been hit by closures after changing hands a number of times this year but is open again this week for business.

Gareth and Donna Hughes have checked in and completed a thorough clean-up operation at the pub which has proved popular for its roast dinners over the years.

And Gareth, who has 28 years of experience in the pub trade, said: “We reopened on Monday. It’s got so much potential.

“It’s about building the right atmosphere and bringing some of the locals back.

“It seems a lovely area though we haven’t had much chance to venture out yet.

“We have come from a wet-led pub to food-led so that will be a different ball game and a nice challenge which we can adapt to.

“I’m a chef myself and a local chef has rejoined us. We’ve been very lucky with the staff we’ve taken on so far.

“We’ll be running a carvery until the new year and then a carvery plus support menu with proper pub fare, all home-made.”

Gareth said he and Donna had spent the last nine months improving a pub in Taunton, Somerset, following years of running establishments in the Swansea and Mumbles area.

Now they hope to give a similar boost to The Full Pitcher which was previously taken over by new landlords in late August following months closed. Those landlords remain the tenants, according to pub group Stonegate.

The opening hours for food will be 12 noon until 7pm from Monday until Thursday, 12 noon until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 12 noon until 6pm on Sundays.

A post from the pub, which is located on the outskirts of the town, on the Voice of Ledbury Facebook page added: “We took over last week and after giving the pub a well-deserved clean we have reopened to honour all remaining bookings first.

“Sorry to everyone for the inconvenience last week. It was definitely not our intention to close down or not to honour bookings but the place was not up to standard until now.”

Stonegate, when seeking new tenants, had previously described The Full Pitcher as “a well-established and prominent landmark site situated on the busy ring road and one of the main roads into the historical town of Ledbury.

“It attracts passing trade, local residents and destination diners from the surrounding towns and villages.”