THE owners of Selsley’s only pub aim to cut costs with an eco beer-cooler.

The J & E Hall ambient beer cooler will use outdoor air to help keep up to four cask ales cool including the locally brewed Stroud Organic Ale and Uley Bitter cool in The Bell Inn’s beer cellar.

Mark Payne and fiancé Sarah Watts bought the 16th century pub in 2015 after running the mark@street fine dining restaurant in Nailsworth for four years before moving on in search of a fresh challenge.

He said: “Energy costs are astronomical in any business, when installing an ambient beer cooler was suggested to me it seemed to tick all the boxes.

“It was like a blinding light, it was such a simple idea but it made such common sense – I had to look at it.

“When we had the unit installed it was the hottest day of the year but once the cooler weather arrived the unit became more active.

“We cater for local drinkers in one area but it has also become a very food-driven pub and we can seat about 60 people in the restaurant.

“We are the only pub in the village which is good from a trading point of view but it puts a responsibility on us to keep it going and keep it vibrant for everyone.”

The eco beer cooler doesn’t contain any refrigerants which allows it to employ a greener method of cooling.

This in turn helps to reduce servicing costs and also extends the life of the main cellar cooling system.

The installation was carried out by TK Refrigeration and the unit was supplied by Fridge Spares Wholesale (FSW) of Gloucester.

TK Refrigeration's managing director, Tim Rogers, who is celebrating 40 years in the industry, said: "We suggested an ambient beer cooler to Mark and he jumped at the idea straight away, he was absolutely thrilled with it.

“It's a new product but it is one that I trust, we are also keen to help our customers capitalise on as much energy saving as possible.”