VOLUNTEERS took just three weeks to help transform an historic Ross-on-Wye pub in the centre of town. 

The Crown and Sceptre ceased trading in December last year after Herefordshire Council withdrew the license in the wake of a police drugs raid at the premises.

And now the Ree family and an army of volunteers have given the pub a new lease of life by removing all evidence of the former sports bar by re-opening all the windows, flooding light into the whole bar area. 

The pool table and dart board have gone and made way for a seating area that will eventually become a restaurant. 

Business owner Nigel Ree, who also runs the award-winning micro Tap House pub and the Motley Hog Brewery explained that his philosophy is that pubs should be social places and in owning the Crown and Sceptre, a 17th century inn, fulfils his long-held wish to run a large traditional pub where families are welcome.

He added: “We acquired the lease of the pub three weeks ago. It’s been full steam ahead in its transformation. The whole place has been deep cleaned. The floors have been sanded back so that the wood grain can be seen and the walls have benefitted from fresh, much brighter paint and this has been complimented by new soft furnishings. The toilets have also been revamped.

“We will initially be employing nine people in various roles. We intend renting out the kitchen to a professional chef who will prepare and serve food cooked fresh on the premises.”

The pub sells ten cask beers, a mix of those brewed at Motley Hog Brewery and guest ales from around the country. The pub also has 13 keg lines, including two craft lagers and two craft ciders, along with ordinary pub spirits and a choice of wines from around the world. 

Over the coming months the function room will be revamped as will the beer garden so that it will become child friendly.

The pub was re-opened last week by Milly Boylan, the self-proclaimed Not-mayor of Ross-on-Wye to the sound of a fanfare being played out. She said: “In my new role, it is a privilege to reopen this pub and I couldn’t think of a better family to run it, as I know they will serve the community well. It’s a wonderful addition to the town.”