A boarded-up pub is set to re-open next week with a pledge to re-integrate itself into the community.

The Flintknappers, on Market Hill, Brandon, has been taken over by new management and is set to offer food, as well as activities including quiz, pool, darts and cribbage.

Kevin and Carol Healy, former landords at the Duke of Wellington pub, also in Brandon, are set to open their new venture on February 13 at 2pm.

Their son, Steve Healy, who has helped with the refurbishment, said: “We wanted to give it a complete new image. Ten or 15 years ago pubs used to be such a big part of people’s social lives but now people are stuck in front of the tv.

“We want to try to do things to get people back out and socialising and talk to their friends and enjoy themselves and relax.”

The pub, owned by Enterprise Inns, closed suddenly in March last year and speculation sprung up about when it would reopen.

Mr Healy said the pub had been completely redecorated with “snug” areas, a pool table and darts with entertainment due at weekends.

Opening hours would be 11am until 12pm Sundays to Thursdays, and 11am to 2pm on Friday and Saturdays.

He added: “We recognise that we are a business and need to make money but we need to bring something extra to a community in these times of austerity.

“We want to show that we do not have to have a Wetherspoons or a hungry horse in a community to receive smartly priced food and drink. It is our aim to compete head to head with the large managed establishments but offer a community feel.