The tenants of a pub near St Albans have purchased the boozer after years of living in and managing it.
Anthony and Faith Denoronha, who have run The John Bunyan for many years, announced on social media on Wednesday, May 31, that they had purchased the pub.
On Friday (June 9), The Herts Advertiser attended the location and spoke with Anthony and Faith.
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Located on the quiet Coleman Green Lane, near Wheathampstead, the pub is surrounded by the calming and picturesque British countryside.
Supremely welcoming, Anthony and Faith - along with their dog Biscuit - have created a traditional pub with a comfortable living-room feel to it.
All around the pub, are objects such as plates and jugs hanging from the 19th century beams of the property.
These items add character to the already cosy and welcoming environment.
Sausages are sourced from Sandridge's J.T.B. (John the Butcher), whilst the nearby Three Brewers provide beer for the location.
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Now that Anthony and Faith own the premises, they can make changes to the establishment which would not have been possible under the previous owners McMullen & Sons Brewery.
Plans to improve the kitchen are on the agenda, along with improvements to the pub's menu.
However, the duo expressed their desire to keep the traditional feel to the pub, and keep much of the location the same.
Anthony told The Herts Advertiser: "My family have been here for 23 years, Faith joined about 13 years ago.
"We ran it with them (my family), they retired, and we had it on tenancy with McMullens.
"McMullens then decided to sell the pub.
"Luckily, they approached us first and we were interested!"
Speaking of the positive impact that owning the pub has had, Anthony continued: "We were running it before but it wasn't a free house, we couldn't use local suppliers as much.
"Using the local suppliers is great! Now we can use Three Brewers, John the Butcher's."
Since the takeover, The John Bunyan has immersed itself in the local community, hosting a number of car shows and charity events.
Faith commented: "When we do barbecues for events, we always use John the Butcher for all our meats.
"It's local, it's good produce...
"Some of the best days are when you stand on the ramp as you come in and you look out, and you've got a tractor in one corner, some horses on the lawn, a load of cyclists over here and dog walkers sitting in the middle.
"It just looks so countryfied!"
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