Unique Country Inns has opened its fourth site, after taking on the Enterprise Inns lease of a renowned Wiltshire pub that was severely damaged by fire in 2013.
A joint investment of over £500,000 has seen the Cross Keys in Royal Wootton Bassett rebuilt and refurbished ahead of its official opening today.
The pub became famous as a retreat for bereaved families attending repatriation ceremonies for fallen servicemen and women.
Phil Thompson, co-founder of Unique Country Inns, said: “We’re pleased and delighted to be playing a part in restoring this important pub to its former glory, and introducing new features and a new menu that we’re confident will attract local regulars back, and bring in tourists, too.
“And we believe we’ve treated the role the pub played in the repatriation ceremonies with dignity and respect, having dedicated a room to that part of its long history.”
Among the room’s repatriation memorabilia are photographs of RAF Lyenham, where repatriation flights arrived.
Other features include the pub’s old penny-topped bar – water damaged as fire crews tackled the blaze – which has been restored and turned into a wall hanging; and a fire-damaged, smoke-blackened roof beam, now mounted in a display case.
Unique’s other sites are all located in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
