ONE of Devizes oldest pubs is to re-open on Saturday after a £400,000 refit which has taken it bang into the 21st century.

The Three Crowns in Maryport Street is a trailblazer for a new way of running pubs for brewery Wadworth which says it wants to offer landlords the opportunity to run their own business but for it to still keep some control..

Experienced licensee Matt Humphries, 42, has been appointed short-term manager of the pub but the Devizes brewer wants to appoint a tenant under a new retail franchise agreement.

It will be just the second pub in the brewery's estate that will be run in this way and retail development manager Ken Russell is confident it is the way forward.

He said: "The first one we did in this way was in Exeter and that is working really well.

"We now have high hopes for the Three Crowns but it is dependant on getting the right people in here. We won't be rushing into anything.

"I think the pub is looking fantastic and hope the people of Devizes will like it."

Mr Humphries, who once ran the Fox and Hounds on the outskirts of Devizes and was the first manager of the Devizes Weatherspoons pub the Silk Mercer, has been parachuted in to run the Three Crowns from the Green Dragon in Marlborough.

He said: "The pub has been completely transformed. We need to get people to come and see the changes."

The pub will be drink led with cask ales, specialist gins and good wine leading the way. Food will be from the Wadworth managed house menu with tapas, burgers, steaks and other pub favourites.

Inside there is seating for 50 while the courtyard area has seating for another 40 and includes a Jumbrella which provides heating within a parasol. The original Three Crowns hanging board has been renovated by the brewery's specialist sign painters.

Next door the former Emily's Tea Room will become part of the pub and be turned into staff accommodation for visiting Wadworth managers and letting rooms.

The brewery is also about to update the Bell By The Green, Devizes and is looking for a new tenant to take it over.

A spokesman said: "The Bell will be undergoing an internal and external refurbishment. This will include completely modernising the front bar, a full refurbishment of both toilets, plus relocating the pool table to gain additional covers for both eating and drinking.

"The bar and back bar overhaul will deliver a complete new look - to include redecoration, new carpet, curtains, lighting and bric-a-brac.

"What is currently a popular smoking shelter will be replaced with a modern new look area for smokers. The exterior of the building will undergo a full redecoration with a new signage and lights scheme."