A PUB in Sherston has reopened under new management meaning the village now has two places for locals to drink.

The Carpenters Arms has been taken on by husband and wife team Ian and Suzie Witt, joined by experienced chef Michael Wittingham-Sharpe in the kitchen.

Their opening night on Wednesday proved a big success with the pub also seeing a busy lunchtime on Thursday.

Ian and Suzie, who have been in the pub trade for 20 years, said that as well as being a traditional village they hoped their new venture would shine because of the food cooked by their new chef and the real ale they served straight from the barrel.

Ian, 55, said: “Everybody has been saying that Sherston is big enough for two pubs and if it goes on like it has been then it’ll be fantastic for us.

“I hope that we retire here. If it is successful then it’s something that I hope to leave to the family.”

The business is already operating as a family outfit, with Ian and Suzie’s three children helping out in the kitchen and answering the phones as enquiries flood in.

After the pub shut down 18 months ago it remained empty until the Witts took it on and invested in a total refurbishment, which is now all but finished.

Part of the refurbishment is the kitchen, headed up by Michael, 48.

Michael was first introduced to kitchen aged seven years old by his Grandmother while living in Manchester and had to endure a lesson in cleaning before being allowed near the ingredients.

His cooking was so enjoyed by the family once he started that he was cooking for a family of ten until he moved out.

After working in London for several years Michael moved to Swindon to have more control and worked as head chef at a number of restaurants before decided he wanted to go his own way.

He added: “I decided to come work at the Carpenters Arms to start something from scratch, to build it, and to put this pub on the map.”

As well as planning to corner the market on pub food in Sherston the team at the Carpenter’s Arms are hoping to run a fish and chips delivery service and will soon be organising a pub quiz for Saturday nights.