DOORS to a Taunton pub reopen to serve the public on Friday (June 3) - just as the pub has done for hundreds of years.

The historic King's Arms coaching inn on Staplegrove Road has been closed for a refurbishment project to ensure the pub has a bright future and can be a home-from-home for local residents, businesses, sports clubs and social groups.

The pub has kept all its character and added some contemporary extras to make sure today’s customers can enjoy a drink, meal, game of skittles, pool or darts, or watch a match on TV.

It is open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

New for 2022 is booth seating for groups and additional soft furnishings to make customers comfortable as possible.

The décor has been given a makeover giving the pub a bright and fresh look throughout.

It is all part of an almost £400,000 investment alongside the introduction of new tasty food and drinks menus by owners Stonegate Group, while 15 new jobs have been created.

There are lunchtime offers and two-for-one of cocktails currently and Sunday lunches with all the trimmings. As well as sports, there is a packed calendar of pub entertainment planned.

King's Arms general manager Nick said: “We have kept all the old character of the pub and made the most of all the lovely features here.

"We are still the great community local which we have been for years.

"It’s been refreshed, reinvigorated and it has a great atmosphere."

One of Taunton's oldest pubs, the Kings Arms was formed in 1780 from three cottages and has a quirky homely feel, prefect for a great British community local pub.

Nick added: “These latest works mean this lovely pub is ready to serve Taunton for many, many more years to come.

"Enjoy all that is great about a traditional pub with TV sport, pool, darts and skittles, live entertainment and music, great service and brilliant new food and drink menus to cater for all tastes and diets.

"It’s family friendly, pet friendly. We are simply your friendly neighbourhood local with lots going on."