A Meysey Hampton is about to undergo a huge refurbishment thanks to a £300,000  investment by local brewery Arkell’s.

 The diggers have rolled into the Masons Arms at Meysey Hampton, near Cirencester, to begin a  extension and refurbishment of a pub that, just five years’ ago, was shuttered up after the previous owners left.

The pub will benefit from a brand new, purpose-built kitchen and a new toilet block. The old landlord’s cottage, for years housing a cramped kitchen and small restaurant adjacent to the main bar, is being opened up to provide a lovely new dining space.

The Masons’ eight letting bedrooms will also be refurbished and the main bar will undergo a full redecoration.

Brewery managing director, George Arkell, said: “Within our estate, Arkell’s has a substantial number of village pubs and we have proved time and again that with the right investment at the right time, they can be a roaring success. We are delighted to be investing in this lovely pub and are working closely with our landlord, Paul Fallows, to give the village the pub we think it deserves.”

Building will take place during the summer, but the pub will be open throughout.

Paul said “The redevelopment will go on around us but we’ll be open for business as usual even during the all-important Air Tattoo weekend in July, when we’ll halt the work for a few days to cater for the large number of visitors who come along to watch the air displays each year. We’re also on the hunt for a new chef to head-up our brand new kitchen.

“It’s going to be a busy but exciting few months for us, and for the village who have eagerly supported us since we took over just six months’ ago. We’re grateful for their support and to Arkell’s for the brewery’s investment.”