THE owner of a Highbridge pub that has been closed for more than two years says plans are in place to re-open it within two months.

Gordon Stevens says has has agreed to lease The Watchfield Inn, in The Causeway, Highbridge, to another operator.

Mr Stevens, who also runs The George Inn, in Wedmore, is keen for the premises to remain a pub.

Mr Stevens said: “We have agreed a lease with an experienced third party operator who will run it. They hope to open by mid-February.

“We purchased it wishing to save it from the chance of ceasing to be a pub, so most certainly it will continue as such.”

Rumours have been swirling around Highbridge about the future of the premises since it closed. A number of locals have taken to social media to speculate over the future of the site in recent weeks.

One local said: “I’d heard it was going to open in March, then it was Easter, then the beginning of the summer, then late summer.

“People were getting worried it would never open again, so it’s good news to hear things are happening behind the scenes.”

A number of people are excited about going to “have a pint” at their local again and have stressed the importance of not rushing the work.

A post on Facebook said: “It’s better to have something done right and well rather than done half-hearted and people not go there.”

The venue received several favourable reviews on tripadvisor. Among them, flowerfairy said in June 2015: “Tried to come here with the family back in March as they used to do amazing carveries and the owners at the time Jane and Pat were really good.

“Such a shame to see it closed down.”