New town centre pub and bar The Weirside opening in Newbury’s West Mills

A new bar is coming to Newbury town centre.

The Weirside is due to open in West Mills, just off Bartholomew Street, in two weeks’ time.

And the man behind the new venture is Mark Goldsmith, from Newbury.

Mr Goldsmith previously worked at Vodafone and before that, ran town centre watering hole The Clock Tower Inn in the early 2000s, now Tiny Café and Lena Kravets.

He told newburytoday: “I’ve always said to myself, when I get to 60, 65, I would pick another lease up.

“But then last year, I started to have a look around, even though I’m only 51 now. I just thought, let’s have a look.”

And giving customers an idea of what to expect, he added: “There’s no music, no screens, no video games, no food, only bar snacks. It’s just basically a place for good ale and wine.

“So, a freehouse is how I’ve been referencing it in my own mind.

“I can buy my beer and my alcohol from anywhere I want.”

The venue promises a selection of real ales, craft beers, wines and spirits.

Mr Goldsmith said he considered taking on other local pubs like The Catherine Wheel and King Charles Tavern before settling on the vacant unit, previously occupied by Mr Moo Juice.

“I looked at a few units, but once I saw the outside space, I just had to work out a way of making it work,” he added.

Customer opening hours will be from noon to 10pm Sunday to Thursday, and from noon to 11pm Friday to Saturday.