THE Ship Inn is set to to reopen today at 4pm.

The much-loved Brimscombe institution has been revamped with a bright and colourful new interior, creating a vibrant and welcoming public house.

It will be selling coffee, cakes and lunches during the day, while preserving its pub identity as well.

A café-style food service will run from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm, and a full restaurant menu is available on Friday evenings and on Saturdays and Sundays, when you can enjoy a Sunday roast.

The pub comprises a large traditional bar, a spacious dining room with many character features, and also a large and welcoming beer garden.

Wesley Birch, owner of popular Stroud restaurant Birch took over the lease of the pub after wanting to run it since he was a young trainee chef.

“Ever since I moved to the district when I was 16, I have always looked at The Ship and thought ‘I’d love to run that pub’, “ said Wesley, who has moved into the venue with his wife and daughters.

Stroud District Council is the landlord of the 18th century pub, which stands on the Brimscombe Hill road, alongside the route of the Thames & Severn Canal.

They say they are delighted to have Wesley as their new tenant.

Wesley has run Dinner at Six since 2014 from Union Street in Stroud and renamed it BIRCH in line with his outdoor catering firm in 2018.

He trained at William’s Kitchen in Nailsworth from the age of 16 and has built a loyal following in Stroud.

During the pandemic Birch brought thousands of meals to homes with a popular takeaway service.

Photos by Patrick Partridge.