NEW owners are set to transform a pub in Cromhall.

The Royal Oak was bought by Mark and Sabrina Fisher in August this year and since then they’ve been hard at work getting everything in place for the official opening next week.

The couple have teamed up with their new chef, Martin Baker, who has won a double AA rosette and has worked alongside Michelin-starred chefs in the past.

Sabrina, 37, has a long background in hospitality, having worked on and opened a number of hotels in the area.

During this time she met Martin Baker and now they will be working together at the Royal Oak.

Mark said: “We had been aware of the availability of the pub for years. It’s a really nice site but it hadn’t been managed well at all in the past.

“It’s an amazing venue. We’re not sure quite how old it is but there is a marking above the fireplace of 1647.

“The building is very unique in that it has a well in the middle of it. We’ve now built a banquet table with a glass cover over the well and Martin wants to cure meats inside it.

“Our focus is providing really good quality food which Martin will help us provide but sold at really good prices.

“Everything will be made from scratch but we don’t want it to be too poncy so we want to provide really good-sized portions.”

Beer and ales are being sourced from breweries around the area – including Dursley, Chipping Sodbury and Bristol which they hope will give a local feel to the pub and restaurant.

The Royal Oak will open for the first time on Friday, November 7 and there will be a special food and wine tasting event with canapés served by the chef.

Booking is already underway for several Christmas events at the Royal Oak, including a special five-course dinner on Christmas day.