GREAT food and drink, great service and a great atmosphere – that’s the recipe for success from the new team in charge of The Legh Arms.

Zoe Naylor and Matt Blythe are the new landlords of the Brook Street pub in Knutsford, which is due to reopen at midday on Friday, May 2.

The Marston’s pub has been closed since December and is undergoing a major refurbishment in readiness for the eagerly-anticipated reopening.

Zoe, 31, from Chelford, and 25 year-old Matt, from Pickmere, aim to turn the Legh Arms into a popular community pub.

In the run-up to the reopening they have sought the views of local people on what they would like to see at the pub, and have been overwhelmed by messages of support.

“The whole of Knutsford is talking about the pub, and people cannot wait for it to reopen,” said Zoe.

“We are really excited about the reopening. We knew the pub had failed and the reasons why, and believe we can make it work and change it back into being a proper pub.

“Our aim is to create a community pub offering great food and drink, great customer service and a great atmosphere.

“It will be a friendly place where people can come and have a bite to eat, and we plan to have live music, possibly once a month.”

The Legh Arms is Zoe and Matt’s third pub after periods at The Crown at Goostrey and the Ye Olde Parkgate Inn at Over Peover, which they managed for six months and two years respectively.

Before they embarked on pub management, Zoe was a project co-ordinator in the construction field, and Matt worked in sales. They are planning to get married next year.

The pub is being repainted inside and out, there will be new furniture, and giant garden games for the large beer garden which the couple want to become a major attraction.

Knutsford-based indie band Darktown Jubilee are due to perform on the opening night, followed by an Ibiza-style party evening featuring DJs on the Saturday.