THE new owners of a Wimboldsley pub have spoken of their excitement ahead of re-opening this weekend.

The Verdin Arms, in Nantwich Road, will open on Saturday, December 10, under the ownership of Peter Hollinshead and Cath Mitchell, who have been in the property since June.

Having been closed for around three years, the pub has been restored to a traditional venue and repainted in its famous black and white.

With decades of experience – and a host of contacts, including family – in the pub industry between them, Peter and Cath are opening up the pub ahead of Christmas before working on the detached bed and breakfast and kitchen in the New Year.

Peter said: “It’s a bit of an adventure and we are going to grab it with both hands.

“There is still a lot left to do, but we appreciate that a lot of people know we have taken the pub on and are desperate to get in as well, which is nice.

“We got to see some of the neighbours, and we have been saying that we were from the Verdin. A few of them were looking forward to it opening. If they come, they come.”

After years of closure, the property was almost bought by a Middlewich resident, who intended to knock it down and build a home further back.

Instead, Peter and Cath have made the pub their home – albeit with a lot of hard work.

Cath said: “It was like someone had just locked the door and left. The glasses, the old till, everything was left behind.

“But it has got a nice feel about it and we really love it.

“We have still got lots to do but we are able to do it at our own pace."