A village’s only pub which "looked like Fort Knox" when it closed earlier this year is to get a new lease of life under new ownership.

The Wheel Inn in Westwell near Ashford is set for redecoration and a new cafe addition after being bought a fortnight ago.

The 17th century inn, which overlooks the village green, closed in January with the windows and doors quickly boarded up, and concrete barriers blocking off the car park.

Worried residents likened the sealed-up pub to Fort Knox, however new owners John Forge and Mandy Keefe have quickly removed all of the barriers and unblocked the windows and doors.

Westwell Parish Council chairman Christine Drury says the village is “delighted” the sale has gone through.

“As a community it’s fantastic that John and Mandy have bought The Wheel; on the day of completion two weeks’ ago the boarding all came off, as did the awful concrete barriers,” she added.

“It was incredibly depressing to look at all of that – and in fact most people were trying to pretend it wasn’t there – so to have it back is absolutely wonderful.

“It is The Wheel again, and it’s clear that they are putting a lot of work in as there is fencing up and activity there every day. It’s really great news, but there is quite a lot of work to do.”

As well as a refurbishment, the new incumbents are said to be considering adding in a restaurant-cum-tea-room into the building.

The new addition will link to the bar area, with the kitchen moving into a new extension at the back of the pub.

Parish councillor Clive Bainbridge says the new owners had been “true to their word” so far and that the pub would predominantly serve the community.

“John and Mandy are extremely nice people; they get on really well with all of the locals which is so important for local publicans,” he said.

“They are hoping to add in a tea room as an adjunct to the pub, which has been expanded inside by moving the kitchen.

“Whether that will be solely run by them or by another independent firm on a contract, I do not know.

“John tells me that they are not planning on doing any advertising as they want to keep The Wheel as a local pub and for passing trade. Everything looks positive and I can’t wait to have a pint there.”

Shepherd Neame’s property and services director George Barnes confirmed the brewery had sold the pub as it “no longer fitted our portfolio”.

“We liaised closely with the parish council and local community over the sale of the pub and it will continue to be operated as a licensed premises by the new owners,” he added.

Former landlord James Kelland shut the site in January, blaming the pandemic and rising energy prices for his exit.