The Angel pub at Watlington celebrates completion of its £150,000 refurbishment project

The Angel pub at Watlington has celebrated the completion of a refurbishment project costing in excess of £150,000 with a special launch night for customers.

The pub has been completely transformed inside and out, with most of the work being completed by landlords Richard Crouch and Emily Phipps, who took it over in September.

On Friday, May17, they invited customers to their launch night, offering samples of food and drinks from the menu.

Said Richard: "It was an excellent night and plenty of people came along to join in the celebrations. Because the pub has now been painted outside I think it has created a lot of interest and is drawing more people in."

Richard and Emily invested around £75,000 themselves with the pub company the EI Group matching the amount. Said Emily, who is eight months pregnant: "It has been quite a journey, there was so much work that needed doing when we first took it on. We have invested not only financially, but emotionally too.

"We did the majority of the work ourselves. I have been doing all kinds of jobs, from laying carpets to fixing up brackets for hanging baskets. It's been very hands-on.

"We are hugely pleased with what we have achieved. It is now unrecognisable from how it used to be."

Inside, it has been redecorated and new furniture and light fittings have been installed. Windows have been replaced externally and new signs put up. Outside areas have been landscaped and a children's play area and herb garden have been created.

The menu is based around local produce. Said Emily: "We offer a large selection of fish dishes as well as more traditional mains and specials alongside. All our suppliers are local. Our menu can change daily depending on seasonality and availability of produce. Everything is cooked fresh to order.

"The pub plays an integral part in the community as it is a meeting place. We are entirely family friendly – as we should be as we are a family running it!" Richard and Emily have a son, Reggie, who is ten months old.

They are looking forward to the summer months with several events lined up, including the Watlington village fete on Saturday, June 15, when the prize draw will take place at the pub and there will be live bands playing and a barbecue.

The Angel can be contacted on 01553 811588.