'We are bringing it back to life' - Much-loved hotel and restaurant in heart of Shropshire town will reopen this month

The 17th-century coaching inn turned hotel and restaurant was purchased by the Valiant Pub Company earlier this year and is currently closed while it undergoes extensive refurbishment.

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Spencer, who also runs the Elephant & Castle pub in Dawley, Telford, said the entire ground floor of the building has been refurbished including its bar and dining areas, alongside each of its hotel rooms that will feature new furniture, curtains, and carpets.

Once work is complete, The Gaskell Arms will boast a mixture of standard, 'premium' and family rooms for residents and visitors to stay in.

Spencer and Lisa said they aim to "restore the charm" of the much-loved hotel and restaurant, and are hoping to welcome residents in their numbers for the grand reopening.

"This is really exciting for us," said Spencer. "We are going to bring The Gaskell back alive.

"It know it has a place in the heart of Much Wenlock and everybody loves The Gaskell.

"We want to breathe new life into the building, enhancing its charm but with modern comforts."

The pub will reopen at midday on July 16.

Spencer, who has run several pubs in the West Midlands, has enjoyed recent success reopening the Elephant & Castle in Dawley.

The pub on Dawley's High Street began operating again in September last year after more than three years out of action - and was welcomed back by Dawley folk with open arms.

Asked if its success adds to the excitement of his latest project, he continued: "Absolutely, I like a challenge and with the people that I have been chatting to in the area, they are all excited to come back to The Gaskell and see what we have done.

"The opportunity came about and I applied for it being close with the Elephant & Castle, and it just made sense to have the two and offer something different than what we do in Dawley."