A NEW family have taken over the reins at the Carpenters Arms pub in Stroud.

Samantha McKie and her family took over the popular local on November 30.

The pub is located in Westrip near Randwick, and buying the Carpenters Arms represents a big career change for Samantha who worked in radio advertising sales for more than a decade.

Samantha, who will be joined by her husband Gordon and their daughters aged 10 and 7 for the new venture, said: “I’m so excited to get started and can’t wait to welcome people back to the Carps.

"I’ve dreamt of running and owning a family-orientated pub for a long time.

“I have lots of ideas to encourage families, groups and individuals to use and enjoy the pub on a regular basis, including live music, quizzes and seasonal events.

"I would love the Stroud community to show their support by coming in to see us in December.

“We’re on the Cotswold Way footpath and have a fantastic beer garden with amazing views across the valley."

Samantha is also running a ‘Carps Coffee House’ on weekdays, offering hot drinks, light snacks and cakes provided by the Lavender Bakehouse.

They will also continue with the more traditional pub offer in the evenings and at weekends.

Samantha knows the pub well having grown up in Randwick herself, and she said: "Our new Carps Coffee House is unique within the area, and our traditional bar area, which the regulars will already know and love, is serving a new winter menu featuring simple, high-quality pub food alongside a fantastic selection of local ales.”

To keep up-to-date with the latest events, menus and opening hours from the Carpenters Arms, visit https://bit.ly/2ONuRk0