A VIKING battle helped to celebrate the opening of a new bar in Evesham.

The Valkyrie Bar has opened at the site which was last occupied by PJ's Bar in Market Place.

The venue opened on Saturday (January 14) and was filled with customers who were treated to live music, with a Viking battle taking place in Market Place.

Steve Richford, who owns the bar with his partner Katrina Edwards said: “We’re so pleased by the reaction we’ve had to the bar so far and we’re very excited about what we’re offering Evesham at our venue.

"We hope even more people will come out and see what’s on offer."

The new cafe, bar and live music venue has been closed for around 12 years since PJ's Bar closed down and was officially opened by chairman of Wychavon District Council Councillor Frances Smith.

Shawn Riley, inward investment manager for Wychavon said: “Steve has bought his experience of reopening bars elsewhere to Evesham and has succeeded thanks to his hard work, determination and investment.

"We’re excited by what The Valkyrie Bar will offer as a café bar during the day with outdoor seating facing into the square and their evening offering as a bar and music venue.

"This is a fantastic example of investment in the town and shows a growing confidence in Evesham.”

"The opening of the bar marks another significant step in achieving the ambitions of Evesham Town Plan which aimed to regenerate Market Place in Evesham as a centre for café’s bars and restaurants with plenty of alfresco dinning.

"The opening of The Valkyrie is a significant step forward and this together with the planned opening of Katie’s Bar and Grill in the coming spring and the a further planning application for another restaurant, will see this ambition coming to fruition."