DEVELOPERS who have bought the Royal Oak hotel in Ledbury are vowing to make a go of the business.

The Southend building was bought by Timber Homes UK on May 2 from previous owner Rex Barron. The deal opens the way for a housing development next door.

The asking price was £480,000 and negotiations have been opened with the Freemasons to buy the Royal Hall, which is also on the site and functions as a Masonic Lodge.

On offer of £100,000 is currently on the table for the hall, which Timber Homes UK wants to use as a restaurant or a function room, where bands and entertainers can perform, as a adjunct to the pub.

Ian Martin, of Timber Homes UK, his business partner Steve Green and his wife, Valerie Green, are now living in the hotel.

The Royal Oak dates from 1420 and may be the oldest pub in town.

Mr Martin, who has put his Colwall home on the market to help meet costs, said: "The hotel is a very viable proposition and we are already making a very good go of it. We own a plot of land next door to the Royal Oak and to get permission for a couple of houses there, we need to supply two parking spaces."

The access route on the right of side of the pub, part of the Royal Oak premises, had to be owned by Timber Homes UK for their planning application to be considered by Herefordshire Council.

Mr Martin said: "It's the most expensive drive I've ever bought!"

But Mr Martin, a member of Ledbury Rugby Club, and Mr and Mrs Green intend to refurbish the guest rooms of the Royal Oak, at a rate of around one a week.

A new food menu is already in operation and a new chef has been hired to start in two weeks time.