AN 18th century Worcestershire coaching inn has just reopened after a major refurbishment in which ever part of the establishment was upgraded.

More staff have also been taken on to meet the expected increase in demand for food, drink and accommodation at the Beckford Inn, between Evesham and Tewskesbury.

The pub, which has 12 rooms, was taken over by Wiltshire brewery Wadworth from independent owners and closed for nearly two months from the end of May this year to July 17 when it re-opened.

Assistant manager Ryszard Bialosiewicz said the restaurant, bar, kitchen – now including a new pizza oven, function room and rooms have all had a major facelift, while a grassed area outside has been converted into a patio where customers can enjoy al fresco eating and drinking.

“I liked the inn as it was before but it was a bit old fashioned. It is more open plan and lighter now. It is looking beautiful,” he said.

He added that there used to be seven or eight full and part-time staff at the Beckford Inn but this had now increased to around 20 since it was taken over by Wadworth.

“All the original staff have stayed on but while the inn was closed we all went to different Wadworth-managed houses to do training. I went to three different pubs. It kept us all working while the Beckford Inn was closed and gave us the knowledge of how the company wanted us to run the pub,” said Ryszard.

Once the Beckford Inn refurbishment was finished, Wadworth held and open day and more than 200 local people turned up to take a browse around the upgraded inn.

“From what we have heard from customers, they have been quite impressed.”

The pub is holding a Family Fun Day next Wednesday August 5 from 3pm until late. The event will include plenty of entertainment and fun for all the family such as a Punch and Judy Show, face painting, live music, games and the Wadworth shire horses called Max and Monty and wagon, which deliver to the brewery’s 14 pubs in Devises, will make an appearance.

There will also be a hog roast and cask ales as well as food available from the menu. The event is in aid of the Evesham Volunteer Centre, a charity running community transport, good neighbour and a host of other schemes to help people across the Vale of Evesham.

The inn’s new manager Jack Snowden-Butchart said: "We’re calling this is our ‘Official Launch Party’ and it’s going to be a really good afternoon out for the whole family.

"We hope our existing customers and lots of people who haven’t tried the pub yet will come along and join in the fun and help us raise money for the Evesham Volunteer Centre."