A pub in Portishead town centre has reopened after being shut for more than six months.

North Somerset Times: The new owners hope they have learnt from the mistakes made by the Mezze group who used to run the site.The new owners hope they have learnt from the mistakes made by the Mezze group who used to run the site. (Image: Archant)

The Old Mill, which was The White Lion before it closed last year, reopened on Friday with a launch event.

The new management team is confident they have learnt from previous mistakes to make sure the High Street venue is a popular place for people to eat and drink.

Gavin Wright told the Times he was delighted with how their plans for the pub had been received in the town.

He said: “The response has been really good from the community and I’m really excited about it (the future).”

He has been involved in the pub trade for 16 years. Although not from the area, he heard The White Lion was up for sale and one visit to the town was enough for him to know it was an investment worth making.

The pub used to be run by the Mezzé group and owned by Enterprise Inns, but it vacated the premises after choosing to focus on different ventures.

There was a great deal of speculation about who might take on the prominent site near Wyndham Way, but the new owners are confident they have the recipe for success.

Gavin said: “The building had lots of character and wonderful features which we have tried to restore, but it was soulless and we could see why it failed.”

A menu featuring lots of classic British pub food is on offer to customers, while a great focus has been put on wines and cocktails, as well as ales, lager and cider.

Gavin however is keen for the pub to compliment the local community.

He had wanted to put a traditional woodfire pizza oven in, but chose not to when he realised that businesses offering similar food were already available in the area.

Gavin said the stronger the whole High Street is, the better it is for Portishead and his latest business venture.