ONE of the best-known pubs in Trowbridge has reopened with live music and a full-to-capacity crowd to celebrate an extensive refurbishment.

The Stallards Inn, on the corner of Stallards Street, is now open for business again with new managers Ruby Goodman and Sam Rugman in charge after reopening on Saturday, April 20.

They said: “Wow what a day! Big shout-out to everyone who came out to celebrate with us. It was wonderful to see such a diverse crowd, all coming together to have a brilliant time.

“A special thanks to our live acts Rhiannon Paige and Billy Driscoll, you both absolutely smashed it.”

Wiltshire Times: The Stallards public house is open for business with Ruby Goodman and Sam Rugman now planning to promote live music events. Image: Trevor Porter 76989-5The Stallards public house is open for business with Ruby Goodman and Sam Rugman now planning to promote live music events. Image: Trevor Porter 76989-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)The young couple, Ruby, 27, and Sam, 29, are renting the freehouse from its owner Four County Inns, based in Alton, Hampshire.

They decided to invest their money into the pub rather than buy a house and have been hard at work since February renovating and redecorating.

Wiltshire Times: The Stallards, a Grade two listed building nos 15 and 16 Stallard st reopened on Saturday after being closed since last November. Image:Trevor Porter 76989-1The Stallards, a Grade two listed building nos 15 and 16 Stallard st reopened on Saturday after being closed since last November. Image:Trevor Porter 76989-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Sam said: "The reopening went really well. We are really happy and have had lots of positive feedback.

"We have been working hard every night since February to renovate and redecorate the pub.  It has all been self-funded.

“The walls have been restored and we have painted it inside and out and have put in a new bar and refurbished it to bring it back to its original state."

The couple are trying to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere similar to those in the 'old school' London pubs and hope to provide food after restoring the pub's kitchen.

They are still waiting to arrange a Food Standards Agency inspection before obtaining a food hygiene rating.

The couple have also re-gravelled the beer garden at the rear and repainted the fences to make it more attractive.

Wiltshire Times: Ruby Goodman relaxes in the garden of Stallards pub. Image: Trevor Porter 76989-4Ruby Goodman relaxes in the garden of Stallards pub. Image: Trevor Porter 76989-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The historic Grade II-listed premises date back to 1790 and were purchased by Four County Inns in 2008.

The pub company was established in 1994 and operates a chain of pubs across Wiltshire, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Hampshire.

Sam and Rub have a maximum capacity of 100 in the pub but are hoping to restore an upstairs function room to extend capacity to 120 people.

The couple now hope to organise more live music events offering a wide range of artists across several genres, including country, rock and pop, acoustic, ska and northern soul, as well as karaoke and quiz nights.

"We want variety. We don't want to stick to one genre," Ruby said.