A beloved village pub will be open to the community in just two weeks under new management.

David Hiscock and Claire Gulliver got the keys for The Patriots Arms on New Road in Chiseldon on Tuesday, November 19 and the couple have been working tirelessly to refurbish the venue and get it back open as soon as possible.

They have now confirmed that their opening date will be Monday, December 16 and although the couple planned to open from 3pm, locals are so excited that they have been asking the pair to open from 12pm.

David said: "I didn't realise how many people wanted to get back in here - people are so excited and it's a community hub. I grew up a stone's throw away and I must have been about seven when my parents first brought me in here. 

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"It's rare to take over a pub that means a lot to you and we want to give the village their pub back. It was a real wrench for them to see it go downhill."

David, who will be managing the 'Pat's Arms' alongside a full-time job, explained that he had discussed buying the pub years ago with his mum, so it was a "great opportunity" for their family when they saw it needed saving. 

(Image: Newsquest)

The couple, who are also very busy preparing for the arrival of twins, while looking after two young daughters and two energetic dogs, are set to receive an investment from Stonegate to continue refurbishing the pub in the new year, but they plan to stay open throughout the process.

Claire said the state the pub had been left in by the previous owner was "shocking" and "upsetting" and the pair were left with lots of cleaning to do and rubbish to clear.

"We saw past that and saw the potential. We had a vision", said Claire. "There were missing windows upstairs and snow was coming in while we were working, it was a bit ridiculous. Now we're living here, we can put the kids to bed and come down to paint."

David added: "If I had never been here before, I wouldn't have come back."

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There will be a new bar, with new taps, new signs outside the pub, a pool table, jukebox and TVs showing live football matches.

The couple are planning to open the kitchen around February serving affordable family-friendly meals. 

In the meantime, they are planning a launch party with live music on Friday, December 20 and the pub will be open from 11am to 2pm on Christmas Day and there will be a free party on New Year's Eve. 

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