A POPULAR countryside pub in Powys is set to reopen, a year after last orders were called.

The Hundred House Inn is due to welcome customers back for a first pint in 12 months on the opening weekend of October.

The village pub, near Builth Wells, has been taken over by local businessman Gareth Morris, and will reopen on the weekend of October 1-2, initially just serving drinks, with the kitchen and restaurant to reopen at a later date.

“Good News. Gareth is pleased to announce that the pub will reopen for drinks only, the first weekend in October. Updates on the kitchen will come later,” said a post on the Hundred House Inn Facebook post last week.

“He would like to thank everyone in the community for their patience and understanding while the pub is being renovated.

“He realises that the pub is the centre of the community and wants it to stay that way, so if anyone wants to join the team, please do get in touch.

“A variety of positions will be available, he is searching for someone who can really sail the ship, taking on the day-to-day operation of the pub while keeping the community spirit in mind.

“If you want to be a part of the team, please contact us. We hope to see you all back in the bar very soon.”

The post received lots of attention, including 110 shares, with many sending well wishes and some even keen for employment.

Andrew Smith said: “Great news, really missed the pub," while Heidi Powell added: “Fantastic. We will look forward to visiting in the autumn.”

Ali Williams, of local band Conspiracy Theory, even offered the services of the band, saying: “We’ve just had a cancellation for Saturday 14th October so if anyone needs a band for a party or pub or anything…send us a message.”

OTHER NEWS:

The pub had shut “with immediate effect” on October 11, 2022, becoming yet another victim of the cost-of-living crisis which has decimated local businesses post-Covid-19 pandemic.

Previous landlords Steve and Desri Davidson revealed their electric bill had increased tenfold, making the popular roadside pub “impossible to run on any level”.

The news of businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector, closing has become a depressingly real indictment of the cost-of-living crisis, with bills and living costs sky-rocketing last winter.

The lamentable news was met with great sadness by the local community, as well as punters from afar, with many devastated by the closure commenting on the post.

The reality of the problem for publicans was made clear at the time when it was predicted that seven out of 10 pubs in the UK could close last winter unless they received government support.