A popular 200-year-old village pub aims to reopen next month after a major refurbishment.

The Marquis at Alkham, near Dover, hopes to welcome back customers on Saturday, April 6, under its original name of the Marquis of Granby.

It has been closed since the new year to allow for the work to take place.

The venue was bought by Ashford’s GSE Group last year.

New landlords will be Will and Nadine Sheldon.

Mrs Sheldon said: "We’re working hard on a refurbishment of interior, which we are sure customers old and new will love when we reopen.

“While the old Marquis had an excellent fine dining reputation, we are keen to bring the new version back to being the centre of village life, while still serving good quality, traditional pub food.

“We are on track to reopen on schedule on April 6 and are looking forward to meeting many of our new neighbours over the next weeks and months and to becoming part of village life."

Mr Sheldon added: "Our new menu will see a move back to good quality, locally sourced food at realistic prices, accompanied by a selection of real ales and Kentish wines.

“The bar will be dog friendly and have open fires, and there will be 10 rooms refurbished to reflect the new country pub feel, with a number of beautiful new suites being created.”

The architect behind the refurbishment is John Rogers, the creator and owner of the Ramblinns group that includes the Five Bells at Brabourne, The Globe Inn at Rye, The Woolpack at Warehorne and the Radnor Arms at Folkestone.