Staines' Jolly Butcher is set to re-open

In February this year the Kingston Road boozer finally closed down after having its licence revoked by Spelthorne Council in October 2008, and Tony was granted a new licence in January.

Tony, who previously ran the pub from 1983 to 2000, said: "If I didn't get a licence the pub would have closed down, and I got it so I could turn the pub back into a community place where people can come in and have lunch and a drink."

The pub was closed due to complaints of anti-social behaviour and loud noise at night from neighbouring residents, with Staines councillor Colin Davis describing it as 'more like the Bronx than Staines.'

The pair have spent months putting in new kitchen equipment, heating, lighting, furniture, carpets, and decoration, as well as hiring four members of staff and refurbishing the living area upstairs.

Tony said: "When I ran the pub it was always a community place, but in the last two to three years it went through a lot of change and the previous management didn't have any control. "Neighbours complained of urinating on fences, throwing bottles in their back garden, bad language, and loud noise."

He believes the old problems will change as he is not allowing live or late-night music, and will not have a pool table.

He said: "The pub used to attract a lot of youngsters, but as we are taking the things they like away it will deter trouble. I will also be on site most of the time and hopefully weedle anybody out causes trouble.

"We used to get mums coming in and changing their babies' nappies actually in the pub. All that is going to change.

Tony, who used to run the Wheatsheaf and Pigeon, in Penton Road, Staines, for five years, will also be taking to the kitchen and cooking up lunchtime and evening meals.

The pub is planned to open for late May.