New owners save The Red Lion in Upper Basildon

The Red Lion is now open for business.

New owners, Gina Aston and Vincent Heavey, have restored the 17th-century inn to its former glory, much to the delight of local residents, after it closed earlier in the year.

The pub is urging everyone to pay a visit for a drink before Christmas – although you will have to wait until January for food while the kitchen is being revamped.

Mr Heavey, from Burghfield, said: "We think The Red Lion has huge potential, which is why we decided to take it on. We took on the lease on November 9 and opened last Wednesday (December 7).

"We've had amazing support from the locals, who had been concerned they might lose their village pub.

"The pub has been completely redecorated and renovated with new toilets, a new bar area and log burners.

"Because we are having a new kitchen fitted we cannot serve food until January, but we decided to open before Christmas so the locals could get their pub back."

Mr Heavey also managed another pub in West Berkshire until July.

He added: "I've been in the drinks industry for most of my career and two years ago, I took on The Six Bells at Burghfield to save it during lockdown. And that's now working very successfully with some friends of mine.

"My partner, Gina, has a lot of pub experience and is also the CEO of a charity, so she's keen the make The Red Lion a hub for the community."