THE new owners of a village pub near Trowbridge are reaping the rewards after a refurbishment of the premises.

The Mash Tun in North Bradley was taken over by Paul Bendell and his brother-in-law Paul Aland last week.

Mr Bendell, 32, who owns Trowbridge music shop Eight 72 in Roundstone Street, said they have given the pub a plush makeover and expanded the space inside.

Mr Bendell has been looking around for a pub to run and saw the opportunity to take over the Mash Tun as a challenge worth taking.

"I would describe the pub as being modern but with traditional pub food," he said.

"We have just taken on a new cook and our food is homemade.

"We serve dishes like steaks, pies, chicken strips and honey and mustard chicken.

"I sat down with the chef, Lyndsey Elvin, to talk about what kind of things we wanted to serve and she put in her own ideas too.

"We are starting to buy ingredients locally too as that is something that we feel strongly about."

Mr Bendell is hoping to introduce regular live music at the pub as well as karaoke and is waiting for the pub's music licence to come through.

He said: "We are currently sorting that out for over the May Bank Holiday.

"We also want to lay on karaoke and we have a Sunday quiz from 8.30pm every week.

"We are also hoping to have steak and curry nights in the near future."

Mr Bendell said the pub sits 25 people at a time and there is also a beer garden.

He advises potential diners to book in advance for food.

Although there is no disabled access, Mr Bendell said they could accommodate people in wheelchairs by putting down a ramp to make it easier for them to get into the building.

He said: "We are very much looking forward to running the pub from now on.

"Everything inside is new, including our stainless steel kitchen.

"We are hoping customers will enjoy it too."

FACT FILE:
  • The Mash Tun, Woodmarsh, North Bradley, Trowbridge, BA14. Tel: (01225) 767865
  • Food is served from midday until 2.30pm and from 7pm until 9pm Monday to Saturday. On Sunday food is served from midday until 4pm
  • A Sunday roast is £6.50 for one course and £8.50 for two courses
  • There is a 10 per cent discount on food for pensioners
  • Average price of a pint £2.80; glass of wine £3
  • Beer garden and smokers' area