The Moonrakers pub in Devizes has undergone a £200,000 refit to become a family steak and grill restaurant.

The Wadworth-owned pub in Nursteed Road will open on Monday and start serving food from Thursday.

It is run by the Adastra Pub Company, which already owns four pubs in Hampshire and Sussex. It has taken on the tenancy and will be managed by experienced licencee James Sawyer.

The pub, which had a rather old-fashioned image with two divided bars, has been given a complete make-over with contemporary colours inside and out.

Wadworth marketing director Paul Sullivan said: “We are really optimistic this is going to work and it is something Devizes needs.

"Around £200,000 has been spent on the refit, with Wadworth paying for the structural work and the tenants paying for the internal fittings.

"Knocking the two bars into one has made a huge difference.”

Mr Sawyer said he had recruited a team of around 20 to work at the bar, waitressing and in the kitchen but his two chefs are yet to confirm acceptance of their jobs.

He said: “It is worrying me a bit but if the worst comes to the worst I will be in the kitchen.”

The pub will be open from noon to 11pm from Monday to Saturday and noon to 10.30pm on Sundays.

Food will be served all day until 10pm, except for Sundays when food service stops at 9pm.

Mr Sawyer said the vast majority of the food would be cooked from fresh on the premises.

An enclosed garden area at the back and a terrace at the front can serve 50 alfresco covers.