RESIDENTS are toasting the arrival of new owners ahead of the reopening of a south Oxfordshire pub, specialising in ale and gin.

Wantage's Kings Arms is set to open its doors in mid-July, after Oxfordshire brewers Oak Taverns took over the venue, whose future had been in some doubt for two years.

The Wallingford Street boozer will be a ‘drinking pub’, featuring 20 gins and six beer handpumps, according to the new owners – leading a local beer group to label the town ‘a real ale Mecca’.

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Ian Winfield, the branch chairman of the local Campaign for Real Ale group, described the opening as ‘brilliant news for Wantage’.

He said: “Wantage is going to become a real ale Mecca. I think it will be a way to promote the town and it will get more visitors coming. The unusual factor is that it has a big garden.

He continued: “Wantage has the award-winning Royal Oak – (which has) won more awards in recent years than many pubs across the country – and the Shoulder of Mutton, which also wins awards."

Meanwhile, the limited edition Gin&'er Gin will be offer, after coming to prominence following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. The pub's wider gin range is expected to expand.

Peter and Trudy Lambert will be the new landlords, with around seven jobs expected to be advertised to locals.

Oak Taverns, who take over from Greene King, are an award-winning Thame-based family business who run 16 other venues.

Company’s marketing director Emma Stevenson said: “It will be a no gimmicks, traditional pub.

“It’s all about lovely surroundings, getting together with friends and family – a good, old fashioned pub. We have taken out the pool table, the TVs and juke box. A catch up with friends kind of pub.”

Local councillor Jenny Hannaby, who dealt with a number of noise complaints at the venue previously, added: “It’s a delightful pub that we would like to keep in the area. It’s a good outcome if they intend to make it into a beer venue.”

The owners say they are planning a micro brewery called the Wantage Brewery in the outbuildings.

Wantage’s Beer and Cider festival will make its third appearance in the town in March 2019.