IT’S ALL change at one pub at the heart of a Hampshire community.

With a new landlord behind the bar at The Two Brothers pub in West End and a refurbishment due before Christmas it is hoped this will attract even more customers.

Works are planned to start on improvements to the exterior and interior including replacing and sprucing up the garden furniture in what was described as a “substantial” investment.

Gareth Juliff took over as landlord of the venue, in Townhill Way, four months ago after running a pub in Brighton.

He hails originally from Pontypridd, near Cardiff, where he was assistant manager of another pub, with a total of eight years’ experience in the trade.

But he settled on Hampshire for his next venture.

”I just wanted to settle down really. This place came up, I came and fell in love with it,” said Gareth.

“The people, the community they’re just devoted to this pub.”

During the daytime, emphasis is more on food, but in the evenings Gareth says it is more of a drinking venue.

Weekly activities include a quiz night on Monday and a poker night on Wednesday and Gareth hopes to have a pub football team in the future.

He also plans to open the pub two hours earlier from 10am to satisfy demand for a breakfast service.

Since taking over, Gareth has tried to introduce more entertainment such as live bands and karaoke evenings, which has brought in a new younger crowd to the pub.

However, the venue, which is part of the Sizzling Pub franchise, has plenty of regulars, some of whom have been coming more than 20 years.

Among them you could spot legends of Southampton Football Club as the pub is a popular haunt for some players, including 1976 FA Cup winner Jim Steele, who lives in West End.

It the pub grew up alongside the residential area that surrounds it and Gareth said he feels it is at the heart of that community.

And he has been surprised, he said, at how many regular customers are willing to put effort into making the pub a success getting involved in its charity events or offering their thoughts on what could be done to improve it.

“Regulars like to see the pub thrive and do what they can to help,” added Gareth, who said the pub was doing well and had enjoyed a bumper summer thanks to the good weather.

The cheapest beer is £2.25 and the cheapest wine is £1.49 for a 125ml glass.