IT IS the Winchester pub that recently reopened its doors after an extensive refurbishment.

The Bishop on the Bridge is one of the city’s busiest pubs on a summer’s day, and general manager Jane Drinkwater believes there will be more customers than ever following a “classy” revamp.

Jane, 52, has run the pub for the last seven years, and has seen it go “from strength to strength”.

She said: “Ever since starting, the pub has gone from a real local, to one that attracts everyone. It’s certainly more classy now after our redecoration.

“We have so many unique selling points, it’s hard to advertise with just one! Being by the water with a stunning beer garden, having a classy look and selling a good range of food and drink makes us stand out.

“Now, we’ve reshaped and attacked the things we were failing on. There’s been so much growth since. For example, we used to sell forty-or-so cocktails across the week –now we sell that on just one good lunchtime!”

Jane also makes her own gins, which are a top-seller along with London Pride, which the bar staff sell gallons of every week.

Despite the new look, Jane, who ran pubs across the country before settling in Winchester, says the history of the building is very important.

It is named after St Swithun, the Saxon Bishop of Winchester from 852-862, who built the first bridge over the River Itchen.

A bottle of the Bishop’s gin is sat behind the bar, which Jane says is a “very special feature”.

She added: “The stories to be told about this place are fascinating. Just like the rest of the city, if we were to dig underneath, I’m sure we would find some incredible things!

“All in all, we are a Winchester pub. We bring in the tourists, semi-retired people, people after work, some students. It’s a good mix, and I hope to continue growing.”