A WILTSHIRE town pub has celebrated reopening under new management.
The New Inn, situated at the heart of Amesbury, opened its doors to the general public on Friday, October 3, just two months after Nathan Saitch, his partner Jema Paull, Kirsty Watts, and her husband Adam Watts took on the lease.
The doors might have opened at 11am on a weekday, but that did not stop people from across the town and beyond from popping in for a pint or to say 'hello'.
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The pub has generated a significant online following thanks to the efforts of Mr Saitch, who leads The New Inn's communications.
"I feel very excited but nervous at the same time - I'm flipping between the two at the moment," said Mr Saitch, "Everything's new, and we're learning where it all is."
The landlord, who has no prior experience running a pub, was asked if the idea of running one met the reality.
He said: "The reality does match up with my vision. The atmosphere, today and last night, is what I imagined: nice, calm, friendly, and there's energy.
"Last night, I sat down across the road and took a minute on the steps of the church opposite.
"You could see lots of people inside, the warm lighting, and you could hear the noise of laughter and chatting.
"That was the dream, and there it was - you just have to take a minute to look at it."
Mrs Watts, The New Inn's head chef, said it was "nice to be at the end of all the painting," as she stood at the bar chatting with customers.
Asked what some of the biggest challenges she and the rest of her team had to face were, she said, "I don't know, but it would have to be the kitchen, for me.
"It was empty, so we had to source eventing, and we gifted a few things from friends.
"Getting it all installed was quite a challenge."
The kitchen does not open until Friday, October 10, but the landlady said there will be plenty of English pub classics on the menu.
She said: "Amesbury doesn't really have a traditional English pub and, I think, the food is in keeping with the building.
"It's brilliant. I love it and I'm excited for today."
Macolm Tomblin, 74, from Earls Court Road, was the first customer through the door and enjoyed a pint of Stonehenge Ale.
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He said: "I used to come here. When I was 18, I used to come here every Friday or Saturday night.
"I've been back various times, but it was nice to come in here and see what a wonderful job they've made of it.
"It's very, very good, and it's light and airy and open plan. There's real ales and real food."
He continued: "I wish the whole team very well and well done!"
