A country pub outside Salisbury has been given a new lease on life as the newest acquisition of Rude Giant Brew Co, which plans to open the pub following a short renovation in April.

The Royal Oak in Great Wishford has been in the community since 1822. Originally known as the Tap, it adopted its current name in 1848.

The pub was briefly reopened under new management in 2022, following six years of villagers struggling to save and revive the pub after its initial closure in 2016.

In December 2022, the pub was flooded from a pipe that burst during freezing temperatures and the electricity system was damaged.

The business was again shut indefinitely.

Rude Giant said it intends to use the pub as a place to showcase the brewery’s beers, host events and engage with the community.

The founding partners of Rude Giant include: Dave Hancock of Immersive Group, Joe Robinson of Blonde Brothers, Lyall Dew formerly of Sixpenny Brewery and The Brew Shack and Ethan Davids of Chickpea Group.

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The pub will open seven days a week, focussing mainly on wet sales but including a small bar menu with items such as sardines on toast or a bowl of soup.

Rude Giant said it hopes to host darts and pool teams at the pub, a weekly pub quiz and a weekend meat raffle.

The company is also exploring the possibility of hosting live music and events at the pub, and hopes to find nearby residents wishing to spearhead the organisation of such functions.

Joe Robinson, co-founder of Rude Giant, said: “We feel very lucky to be given the opportunity to give the Royal Oak a new lease of life.

"Historically the pub has always been incredibly well supported, and so it didn’t take long for us to realise it was worth a punt.”