A MUCH-LOVED village pub in north west Worcestershire, which closed a year ago, has reopened thanks local residents who bought it and have given it a major make-over.

The historic Baiting House, at Upper Sapey, near Tenbury Wells – named because wagon hauliers working the Hereford to Stourport route stopped there for bait/food – closed in the spring last year after years of declining sales and was put on the market.

According to new owner Andrew Cornthwaite the locals feared it would never re-open as a pub but would be re-developed for housing.

The pub, the only one in Britain with the name The Baiting House was acquired by villagers Andrew and his wife Kate Lane in summer 2015, and since then has undergone extensive renovation. It is due to re-open on Thursday May 26.

Andrew said: “When we bought it, it was a total wreck and had been in disrepair for some time. Unlike many pubs which are renovated and re-opened as gastro pubs with a tiny bar and a massive restaurant, we’ve actually extended the bar area while at the same time creating a 40 cover restaurant and a terrace where up to 50 diners can eat al fresco.

“We had to totally gut the pub, re-wire and re-plumb it, build a new kitchen and extend the terrace area as well as other work. There is a separate clubhouse designed to show live sport of TV as well as hosting sporting and other private events.

“The refurbished property also includes 6 luxury en-suite bedrooms, and has been granted planning permission to include a “glamping” operation in an adjacent meadow within walking distance of the pub.”

The Baiting House will also create around 20 jobs and the day to day management will be undertaken by local couple Tim and Abi Lawson, who were successful and popular landlords of The Bridge inn at Stanford Bridge, Worcestershire for around 10 years. Previously Tim had run the Fox Inn in Hanley Broadheath.

The food side will be looked after by head chef Charles Bradley, who most recently worked at the Michelin starred restaurant Mr Underhills in Ludlow until its closure in late 2015 on the retirement of the owners.

Andrew added the ethos at The Baiting House is local first, which means that all of the contractors on the project came from neighbouring villages and extends to its food and drink menu where the food focus is on fresh, seasonal local product and the ales and ciders highlight the best that is available from local producers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The wine list even includes a pinot noir from Ledbury.

Kate Lane said: “My family has been based in and around Upper Sapey for several generations and I remember visiting the pub as a young girl and enjoying the sunny garden on a Sunday lunchtime.

“Along with our fellow villagers we were very disappointed when The Baiting House eventually closed, but it has been a great honour for my husband Andrew and me to be able to bring this much-loved institution back to life.

“We are also proud of creating local jobs in a community which desperately needs employment opportunities without having to commute into Worcester or Hereford. Our fellow villagers have been unbelievable supportive, with nearly 2,000 followers on Facebook, and we look forward to welcoming them and many others in the years to come.”

Manager Tim Lawson added: “Abi and I are unbelievably excited to be able to manage The Baiting House. We hope to create something one rarely finds these days - a thriving, proper country pub which combines friendly service with the highest standards of ales, accommodation and seasonal, locally-sourced food prepared fresh every day.”