IT’S the local pub with a new look.

The Village Inn on Botley Road was refurbished to the tune of £200,000 in February, and boasts a bright but cosy new interior.

With a coal-effect log burner and a realistic open fire, new internal windows and a warm and welcoming colour scheme in creams and dark red, the pub is popular with both real ale lovers and foodies alike.

Manager of two years Daniel Aitchison, who lives above the pub, takes pride in the 12 real ales available. The Mitchells and Butlers owned Ember Inns are cask marque accredited, as well as supporters of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Ember Inns’ pale ale is the company’s very own brew made by Black Sheep Brewery, and is billed as a well-balanced premium beer with a crisp bitter finish.

The pub also has about 15 red, white and rose wines on offer to complement their extensive menu, with a spring version out in May.

Food ranges from pub classics like a steak and Doom Bar pie, to Thai green chicken curry and a garden pea and rocket risotto.

An impressive range of six fish dishes on the spring menu includes teriyaki salmon at £10.29 or grilled fillet of sea bass at £10.79. A cheaper fish pie is £8.99 and comes with a recommendation of the Casa Lejano Sauvignon blanc.

The chain has to be fairly unique in its ‘young guests’ menu, ‘ideal for larger appetites or over eight years,’ with a sticky chicken skewer, or a double stack cheese burger in addition to the regular children’s menu.

Social evenings include quiz nights on a Wednesday and Sunday, cask ale Mondays, burger night on a Tuesday, grill night on a Thursday and Friday’s special promotion of £10 for a bottle of Prosecco – now extended to Saturday nights as well. The Sunday wine club has a selection of wines at £10 a bottle after 5pm.

Ales range from £3.30 to £4.00, with a discount of 20p for CAMRA members. Lagers come in at £3.50 to £4.50 and include Carling, Stella, Peroni and San Miguel. Wines start at £12 a bottle.