AN HISTORIC pub in the city centre is finally reopening this week after months of refurbishment.

The Pheasant Inn, on Salt Lane, has been closed for repairs since May this year. 

It will reopen on Friday, September 1, complete with new a new head chef and front of house team. 

New general manager Sam Allen, who also manages The Bell and Crown on Catherine Street, is excited to welcome old faces and new to the pub, which he says will be more food-oriented than his other establishment. 

The pub closed in May with the former publicans Martin and Julie Crane moving to Devizes to assume management of The Crown, and repairs have been underway since.

The repair work done to the pub was mostly exterior, and Sam is keen to reassure residents that The Pheasant will still be as they remember it on the inside.

Sam is passionate about good customer service, high-quality food and real ale. He is excited about the reopening, saying: "We’ve recruited a brand new chef and assistant manager who will be there all the time, so it’ll be a familiar face behind the bar, someone who knows your drink order when you come in."

When asked about plans for future events, Sam said there is nothing planned at The Pheasant for the moment, but mentions a gig at The Bell and Crown on October 13 with local cover band Sarum’s Lot. 

Sam is expecting Friday night to be popular as the reopening of the pub has been hotly anticipated by residents.

He said: "Lots of people have been asking about when The Pheasant will be opening, so we’re expecting it to be busy on Friday."