A VILLAGE pub is to be brought to life again thanks to businessmen based in a nearby castle.
The Bell in Banwell closed its doors over a year ago but the new owners expect to reopen within the next fortnight.
Carmino D’Agostine who runs the restaurant at Banwell Castle has gone into partnership with castle owner Hugh Parsons to renovate the former drinking hole after seeing the pub run into disrepair.
He said: “We run the castle and looking at the pub all boarded up just made us feel the village looked a bit run down.
“We are planning a few little changes here and there. We’re trying to promote real ales and earn a reputation for hosting great music.
“We’re also going to do freshly ground coffees – but it’s definitely not going to be a gastro pub.”
The village once boasted as many as nine pubs and even a brewery but today there are only two. After canvassing opinion Mr D’Agostine (pictured) said many were looking forward to The Bell’s return.
He added: “It’s important that it gets the support of the locals. We don’t have much parking here for tourists so it’s vital the village support the pub.
“It is a village pub and without their support we’ll lose it again.”
The grade II listed former coaching inn was run for many years by the well known Tuckey family.
It still bears remnants from its historic past with stables off the Church Street entrance.
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