The Pheasant Inn has reopened under new management after being closed for more than three months.

Sam Allen, 26, who has also taken over management of the Bell & Crown, is the new man in charge at the 14th century pub that served as the medieval home of the shoemaker’s guild. Salisbury born and raised, has been managing pubs for eight years, most recently at the

He said he plans to keep the laid-back feeling of the pub. Those who frequent The Pheasant as their local will still find the familiar décor and layout.

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Sam said: “The way it was laid out was perfect. The furniture was perfect for the actual style of the building, so there was no need to change anything, really.”

Changes will come, however, to the food selection available at the pub, with new head chef Rich Ryder at the helm in the kitchen planning to offer seasonal traditional pub food.

Rich said: “Basically, I just want to do real, traditional English food, but of really high quality. I’m very passionate about the game, the roasts and the fish, obviously living on the south coast and in the New Forest, so we’re just going to get some more hearty dishes. We’ve got venison casserole coming on—in a couple of weeks we’ll have all that, just when the temperature get’s a bit cooler—and we’re going to have a signature pheasant dish as well, with the pub being The Pheasant Inn.

“If you can just make nice, simple British food of really high quality, it keeps everyone happy, I think.”

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Vegetarian dishes, including vegetarian pies and nut roasts, will also be available.

Rich said he looks forward to helping continue the pub’s centuries-long history as a comfortable local pub.

He said: “It has been here and it has been the heart of the city for almost 600-800 years, so you just want to get it filled back up with the locals, get a lovely atmosphere going where people can really enjoy themselves on a Friday or Saturday night and just have that traditional pub feel to it.”