A NEW pub opened its doors in Stow last week, but it should be familiar to many older residents.

The Eagle and Child in Digbeth Street was for many years part of the neighbouring Royalist Hotel, but has not been run as a pub for about 15 years.

Chef Alan Thompson and his wife, Georgina, bought the two properties for about £800,00 earlier this year and have spent the last four months refurbishing them. They have appointed Roy Sparry as manager of the Eagle and Child, which will be run separately to the hotel. The name dates back to the 18th century.

The Royalist itself is a candidate for the oldest inn in Britain, dating from at least as far back as AD947, but gains its name from Stow's involvement in the English Civil war.

It is due to reopen as a 12-bedroom hotel on September 9 and Georgina said: "It is really taking shape now and we are in the middle of staff training."

The couple came to Stow after four years running a restaurant, 755, in Fulham and they hope to bring the same standard of food to the Royalist's 45-seater restaurant, named 947 AD.