A PUB in Kemble is steaming ahead after welcoming two new landlords.

Business partners David Leith and Dan Keicher have taken the reigns at The Tavern Inn, which has been closed since August with owners Arkell’s seeking new tenants.

Experienced landlords David and Dan are making plans to welcome back customers, and capitalise on the increased footfall past the pub after a new 300-space car park opened behind the pub this summer.

David who comes from Cirencester, and Dan, who hails from Cheltenham, plan to inject new life into the village pub, including introducing regular live music.

Their first festival, Beat-Fest at Pitville School in Cheltenham held in the summer, was a sell-out event and the duo are planning a second festival in 2018.

Dan, a singer and guitarist, said: “David and I met a few years ago at a pub in Cheltenham and soon realised that we had great complementary skills, David’s got lots of experience in the licensed trade and much of mine is in music and entertainment – so we decided to team up.”

The pub also has a large garden which the duo plan to clear and turn part into a vegetable garden to supply the pub next year.

“The Tavern Inn is unique in many ways,” said Dan. “It’s close to a busy rural railway station but sits on around an acre of land overlooking countryside; as such there’s the opportunity to host community events: from music to food and drink.”

Brewery managing director, George Arkell, said: “Adaptability is key for pubs in the 21st century, but The Tavern has always adapted to the local need.

“It didn’t start off as a pub, but a coffee house which opened in the 1890s to compensate for the railway station’s lack of refreshment rooms.

“It didn’t become a pub until 1946, and Arkell’s Brewery bought it five years’ later.

“David and Dan have some great ideas for the pub to become a destination for those who like good honest food, great beer, music and atmosphere, and we’re looking forward to supporting them.”