New pub to open doors (From Free Press Series)

New pub to open doors

YOUR Free Press has teamed up with JD Wetherspoon to offer one lucky reader free beer for six months at the town's newest social venue.

The John Capel Hanbury, on Osborne Road, Pontypool, is to welcome new customers when it opens its doors on April 10.

The pub has taken almost five years to come into being after the successful chain first announced it would be coming to Pontypool in 2001.

It has been named after the town's Victorian benefactor, John Capel Hanbury, who donated land on which Pontypool Hospital, the indoor market and other local amenities were built.

Contractors have transformed the former carpet shop into a large bar, which will offer reasonably priced food and drink in comfortable surroundings.

The new business has created 45 full and part time jobs for the area. The company initially said they hoped to open the pub by 2002 but delayed decisions on the design of the project, was one of a series of set backs.

The building was gutted by fire in November 2004, then the premise was found to contain asbestos, which had to be safely removed before the builders could start work.

JD Wetherspoon has overcome these problems though to open the pub on April 10.