A 'DETERIORATED' pub has been completely transformed by an experienced and successful new landlord.
Mike Cobb has taken over the The Jolly Farmer in Hurst, Wokingham, and is excited to welcome families inside.
The Green King pub was 'disgusting and horrendous inside' with plaster peeling off the walls, water leaking and grease in every corner of the kitchen.
He said: "It's a sad fact in life knowing how much it deteriorated. It looked bad but my forte is putting pubs back to how they should be. It's a very brave move and a lot of people called me crazy but it's like Noah building the ark, it's hard to start with but it will be worth it."
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The boozer in Davis Street will also have a brand new kitchen in a couple of weeks, providing classic English food from homemade burgers to ham, egg and chips and Mediterranean and Thai dishes.
There are also plans for the garden to have an outdoor covered area, pods and an outdoor barbecue/bar.
Inside, there's an open fireplace and a refurbished bar and seating area for families to enjoy. Come Springtime, there will be space for 250 people.
Mr Cobb, who has 30 years experience in working and fixing up pubs wants "everyone to feel welcome" when visiting The Jolly Farmer.
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He said: "I want to try to encourage people to have a drink. Lots of people who came before were regulars where you'd feel like an outsider if you walked in. I want to make it into a family pub where everybody is welcome and does good food."
Mike says taking on the pub was a 'daunting prospect' at first because of the number of problems that were unearthed during renovation.
The landlord who renovated The Emmbrook Inn and The Bull in Barkham, said: "I was aware of how bad the Jolly Farmer was but when you start work, more problems are unearthed. There was damp in the walls and ceilings and the kitchen was never cleaned properly.
"The pub before was never really open, never knew which beers they had in. Greene King contacted me and said 'do what you can with it."
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