TWO years ago, it was the subject of a major refurbishment.

Now, the Brewhouse and Kitchen in Southampton has a new general manager and is welcoming in scores of people over the festive season.

Manager Lisa Jackson, 29, was the assistant manager when the pub, on Highfield Lane, was transformed, but has taken charge since September.

Lisa, of Bitterne, said she is enjoying her time in charge, and that her staff make the role a lot easier.

Lisa said: “We have about ten staff at the back of the house and 15 at the front.

“They are all wonderful and make my job a lot easier.

“We get really nice customers and a lot of them are regulars, and I’ve always enjoyed that. There’s a mix of people, we actually see a lot of academic staff from the University of Southampton in here as opposed to the students!”

Lisa also believes that the pub’s brewery gives them a unique selling point, with brewer Matt Vearncombe speaking to customers and bringing in new beers throughout the year.

Matt, 27, has been with the pub since April 2016.

He said: “I really enjoy what I do, I get to make a lot of beers and I’m always asking customers what they like about one, or what they would change in another.

“I’m quite excited about a new one we have in, and they sit and age in a barrel in the pub which customers seem to enjoy.”

Serving a range of ales, lagers and ciders, the Brewhouse also adds food to its menu.

Head chef Brooke Swallow has been at the restaurant for eight years.

She said: “I’m happy with the menu here, I think the food we serve keeps a lot of customers keen and coming back.

“We’re all looking forward to the Christmas period, we get just as busy as everyone else in the city but we’ve done it all before!”

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