‘LANDMARK’ Weston pub the Imperial will re-open as a brasserie two months after originally planned.

New owners Chris and Mike Sanders intended on refurbishing the South Parade building before Christmas and welcoming their first customers in time for the festive rush.

But the brothers, who bought the historic watering hole in September, say they want to make sure everything is ‘just right’ before opening the Imperial’s doors – and are now planning to re-open it at the end of February.

Chris told the Mercury: “It would be tempting just to open the doors so we could benefit from the Christmas trade but I don’t think that would help the business to succeed.

“We are taking over a failed business so we are giving it enough time to make sure the job is done just right before we open.”

Work has started on the building’s revamp – which will see the interior completely transformed, with new d�cor, furnishings, and a new kitchen and toilets.

The Imperial will re-open as a brasserie with emphasis on good food and the brothers are in the final stages of securing a head chef and manager.

Chris added: “The Imperial started life as a hotel, then it was a pub and now we are moving it forward again as a brasserie.

“We are completely refurbishing it and there will be no shortcuts taken.

“We are bringing a unique place to Weston with the emphasis on excellent food at excellent prices, which we hope will compliment other pubs and restaurants in the town.”

Chris and Mike, who used to own the Queens Arms in Bleadon, decided to buy the pub because of its rich history and are keen on finding out more about the building.

“We would be very interested in seeing people’s old photographs of the Imperial and copying some of them so we could hang them up on the walls.”

Anyone with snaps of the pub can get in touch with Chris by e-mailing imperial@inty.com