A BUSTLING Powys pub that was taken over by new landlords last year is now serving food.

The Castle in Rhayader opened its doors once again on November 3, 2023, after previous landlady Kirsten Price ended her six-and-a-half-year tenancy in September.

Parched punters’ thirst was quenched, but their appetite was not as the new owners opened initially without an operating kitchen.

That all changed last week when the burners went on and the pub revealed it’s new-look menu.

The pub has been taken on by Gwyn Davies and Lisa Griffiths, whose family have owned and run the popular Fountain Inn, in Builth Wells, for many years.

The pub announced it was opening the kitchen last Thursday, initially for four days (Thursday-Sunday), but Gwyn said food will also be served on Wednesday too – with the kitchen soon set to be fully open all day Wednesday to Sunday, from 12pm-9pm.

They also announced today that the pub will be back open – for drinks only – on Tuesdays, from 3pm.

OTHER NEWS:

“We are very excited to announce that our kitchen is finally opening,” read a post on the pub’s Facebook page last Tuesday.

This weekend, meanwhile, The Castle will be introducing a Sunday carvery.

“We opened for food last weekend with a basic menu just to test it,” said Gwyn.

“This weekend we’ll be opening the kitchen full time. There’ll be a carvery on a Sunday and a full menu the rest of the time.”

Gwyn admitted to being a bit nervous when they first opened up, especially as they could not offer food straight away.

But he said the new owners have been welcomed with open arms by locals. The news they were taking over The Castle was followed by a pub facelift inside.

“Locals have been great to us and maybe been pleasantly surprised,” said Gwyn, who admitted he and Lisa had been eying buying a pub in Rhayader for some time.

“I think the town needed a shot in the arm maybe. Just something new, which always sparks a little bit more interest.

“It was tough to open without food but it’s been going well. The refurb has freshened the pub up a bit and that’s been welcomed.”

Partner Lisa is from Rhayader so it’s a town close to the family’s heart. Lisa will be working behind the scenes, with a bar manager running the pub’s day-to-day operations.

To keep up to date with all things going on at The Castle, phone 07875 461247, email pencoltd@hotmail.com or check out The Castle Rhayader Facebook page.