A SOUTHAMPTON pub has thrown open its doors after a £150,000 investment.

The Wellington in Southampton will welcome in customers after the investment by national pub operator, Punch.

The Park Road pub which reopened on Wednesday, July 21 now boasts a new menu and a wider range of real ales.

Punch has also given the pub a full redecoration with updated ladies and gents’ toilets, new external signage, lighting and enhancements to the beer garden alongside the installation of a new kitchen which serves all-day-breakfasts, a new lunch and evening menu and hearty Sunday roasts.

Experienced publican Martyn Godwin who has taken the helm at The Wellington is keen to broaden the pub’s appeal.

Martyn said: “We had a great launch weekend and received some very positive comments from customers old and new. The pub has always been popular with real ale fans and I’m keen to build on this by increasing the number of ales we have on tap.

“I’m hoping that the refurbishment and our new food offer will attract more families too. The team at the Wellington are committed to honest, genuine customer service and I’m confident that we now have all the right ingredients to make the pub a great success.”

Martyn has also improved the entertainment offering with darts evenings, quizzes, meat draws and live entertainment.

Jason Cousins, publican development and training manager for Punch, added: “The Wellington is ideally located to attract regular, passing trade and now has the potential to establish itself as a true community pub. The increasing popularity of real ales is an area that Martyn hopes to maximise by increasing the range on offer and encouraging more customers to give them a try. I’m confident that The Wellington will go from strength to strength.”

Previously, the Wellington Arms dominated the headlines in 2007 when it was made the official consulate of Redonda, a Caribbean island measuring just a square mile in size discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus. Then, Landlord Bob Beech also received a knighthood from the island’s official cardinal who was a regular at the pub.