House in the Tree pub in Boddington back in business
A COMMUNITY has welcomed the re-opening of a much-loved pub after it was shut for three months.
Regulars at the House in the Tree in Boddington were shocked when it closed its doors earlier this year after the previous leaseholders left without notice.
But the premises now has a new man at the helm – and he says he isn't going anywhere.
For Jason Clarke, who was born and raised in Gloucestershire, it is a homecoming.
Sunday and Monday evenings £12.00 per head for an all inclusive meal with Indian and Thai cuisine (normal price £14.50).
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The 46-year-old, originally from Gloucester, said: "I used to come here when I was a child and now I'm here with my girlfriend and family.
"I know it really well. It's a 500-year-old pub and it's a shame that it was closed.
"The reception from the locals has been brilliant. It's their pub and they love it."
Jason said he went into the building about eight weeks after the previous leaseholders had left.
"Everything was still here. All the stock was here and the food from the night before was still on the side," he said.
A big clean-up operation has followed and the kitchen is undergoing a major refurbishment, so only basic food is being served until it is finished and the new chef arrives on September 21.
"We are going to do fresh local food and keep it as traditional pub food, with a specials board for weekends and evenings," he said.
"The pub is still pretty much as it was 500 years ago. The walls are still white. It's not what I call a plastic pub. It's an original."
John Makuch, from Tewkesbury Road, was pleased to see the pub re-open.
The 61-year-old said: "It was absolutely missed when it was shut.
"Myself and my wife have been using other hostelries, but it's noticeable that people are coming back. People have welcomed it. It was a big shock the place closed. It was quite a sudden closure which left everyone shaking their heads."
A spokeswoman for Enterprise Inns said: "Unfortunately the previous publican at the House in the Tree chose to leave the pub without notifying us of their intentions.
"However, we look forward to working with our new publican in welcoming back the local community to the pub and wish him every success with his business."
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