A PUB landlord has vowed to make a fresh start after a lengthy battle with police nearly cost him his licence.
The Ludlow Arms, in Market Place, Westbury reopened on Monday after a truce was called between the Morris family, who own the pub, and police.
Police withdrew a bid for Paul Morris to have his licence revoked and a list of conditions was formed in court to enable the family to make a fresh start.
These include Mr Morris' 26-year-old son Matthew not working at the pub after 7pm, the family paying police costs and a drug testing device being used on the door on random evenings.
Mr Morris said he had not been happy with some of the conditions but said he wants to wipe the slate clean and work with police to crack down on violence and drugs.
He said: "There's no doubt that our relationship with the police was very good for the first five years but fell apart. We ended up losing faith and trust with one another.
"We ended up throwing rocks at each other in court but then we realised we had the same objectives. Neither of us wants to see drugs or violence in the pub."
The father-of-six, who used to be a director at Usher's Brewery in Trowbridge, said he has spent £60,000 on refurbishment and legal fees over the past two years and the whole family had mucked in to give the pub a facelift.
"Everything that was painted has been repainted," he said.
"Everything that was wood has been restored and varnished. The carpets have been cleaned. Every picture on the wall is new."
He said he was least happy about the condition banning his son from working in the pub in the evenings.
He said: "Matthew has done some stupid things. He has in the past used drugs.
"As a family we have come through it. He is clean now and has been for two years. Just because he got sucked down the wrong track once it doesn't mean he is a drug dealer or a bad person."
Inspector Geoff Miles said he was feeling positive about the future of the Ludlow Arms.
"It will become a place that people go to out of choice rather than because it is open late," he said.
Mr Morris has not ruled out selling the pub in the future but said: "We would not consider selling the place without reproving our good name."
The conditions are:
Mr Morris' son Matthew, 26, must not work after 7pm any evening and must not enter the pub on Friday and Saturday evenings after 7pm.
An Ion Track drug tester will be used on random nights on the door to check customers for drugs.
The pub will close at midnight on Thursday to Saturday nights.
The Morris family will pay the police costs of £22,479.
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