A VILLAGE pub in Bromsgrove will reopen to the public tomorrow (April 26), following a six-figure investment.

The Cross Inn's future was thrown into doubt in September, when the Finstall pub was put up for sale, leaving the village without a local.

But craft brewery Black Country Ales came to the rescue, taking over the Alcester Road site in December and recruiting Bromsgrove-born Ryan Carr as the Cross Inn's new licensee.

Ryan said: "I grew up in Bromsgrove, but moved away when I was 21.

"I used to come to the Cross Inn many moons ago and I like how Black Country Ales works as a brewery. So when I saw they'd bought out the pub I thought it was a great opportunity."

The pub has undergone a major revamp ahead of its grand reopening, which has seen the site completely re-plastered, painted and carpeted, with a brand new bar, serving a wider selection of ales, whiskeys and gins.

"The pub was a shell when I saw it for the first time a few months ago," Ryan told the Advertiser. "The plaster had been ripped off the walls - it was completely gutted.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

"Now it looks fantastic. The bar has been moved to the other side of the pub, which has completely opened up the room.

"The walls are covered in pictures of Bromsgrove from the 1920s, so if you're from the area it's like a trip down memory lane.

"It feels authentic even though everything in there is brand new. I'd say it feels even more like a traditional country pub now than it did before, which I know was important for the locals."

The pub's main room also features wooden beam ceilings, sofas and an open fire. It will sell crusty cobs, pork pies and scotch eggs.

Ryan will run the pub day-to-day, alongside a new team of staff and support from his dad - a retired republican.

"The pub has had some much-needed investment and I think it caters for a wider audience now," said Ryan.

"It's a nice-looking brand new pub with a fantastic ale range. The Cross Inn was somewhere the community got together and we've brought that back.

"I'd be very surprised if it isn't a huge success."