A Chippenham pub is being given a new lease of life and expected to reopen within weeks.

The Brunel on New Road closed its doors on June 28 and was briefly put on the market as owners Stonegate sought new tenants.

Lorna Noble jumped at the chance to add a third pub to her portfolio having already looked after The Black Horse pub nearby and The Pig and Whistle in Melksham.

After taking charge of the site on July 2, a major refurbishment effort is now well underway and there are big plans for the venue’s future.

Lorna said: “We’re touching up some paintwork, switching out the taps, sorting out the cellar, and giving the place a new look and a better feel.

“We want to turn the unused Brunel room into a cocktail bar as there’s not much in the way of that around Chippenham at the moment.

“My area manager let me know that this opportunity was coming up and, as my other two pubs were doing well and I’d always imagined adding more, this seemed like an exciting challenge and the perfect place.

“It’s a larger venue so we can put on great events and there’s a lot more to come. We will keep reinvesting into the pub in the future.”

Diane Rees will manage the revamped Brunel and is eager to welcome people in for a look around when it reopens at some point later this summer.

She added: “We are really excited to be taking over and running The Brunel.

“I came here when I was younger and it was booming, so I’d like to bring it back to its former glory with a party vibe, great food, and live music, sport and charity events.

“It’s such a great venue and we want to get the public out enjoying a night in Chippenham, DJs and discos on the weekends, and a family friendly feel during the days.

“A fresh lick of paint goes a long way – it’s looking amazing already, we’re upgrading everything we can and will continue to do so.

“There’ll be a nice cocktail menu in the Brunel room, which can be hired out for corporate events and things like hen dos, and we’ll have a different range of beers on tap.

“It’s all about bringing the community together enjoying a vibrant new-look venue.”