THE New Inn pub in Pwllmeyric is set to become a community hub under new ownership.

Peter, 42, and Chantal Ferrer, 44, of Mathern, bought the pub on the A48 in May this year and hope to completed renovations in time for Christmas. The pub will be a place for community groups to meet and will showcase local photographers on their walls.

The new owners have converted the adjoining function room into the Old Forge Cafe which has been open since September.

Mr Ferrer said: "There used to be a coffee shop here in the 1950's. There is a lot of history to the building - the first agricultural hedge trimmer in the world was produced here.

"It has been fantastic so far we and have received a lot of support from locals. We want it to have a real community feel and make local produce and art more accessible."

The New Inn was previously owned by Punch Taverns and was closed in January 2013.

The new owners, a barrister and former teacher, will provide the cafe and pub with locally sourced produce as well as their own made patisseries created by pastry chef Stephanie Palmer from Magor.

Mr Ferrer said: "It has always been an idea of mine to buy a pub. We wanted to buck the trend and open a pub.

"We've had support from foreign language groups who would want to use the space and we want to include other local business here with a collection point for bread at the cafe."

For more information visit www.theoldforgecoffeeshop.co.uk