IT’S a long way from the Harz Mountains in Germany to the village of Chirton, near Devizes, but the new licensees at the Wiltshire Yeoman are pleased to have made the trip.

Rob Coombes and Jutta Hahn took over the popular pub on August 31 after deciding to return to Britain. Mr Coombes said: “We were looking all over England for a place to buy but finally decided to take a tenancy.

“Wadworth’s looked the most inviting landlord. The Wiltshire Yeoman is exactly the kind of place we were looking for.”

For Mr Coombes it is a return to his native turf, having been born in Compton Bassett, although he left when he was five.

He met Ms Hahn, who hails from Dortmund, while she was running a hotel in Holy Island, Northumbria. They decided to take on the hotel in the Harz Mountains last year but it didn’t work out for them, largely due to the state of the roads there, and they decided to return to England.

Ms Hahn’s son Marcus, 25, is chef at the Wiltshire Yeoman and has a hard act to follow.

Under the previous licensees, Chris Brooks and Carla Regler, who have now moved to Cornwall, the Yeoman had an enviable reputation for food.

Mr Coombes is aware of this but he and his family are not fazed by it. He said: “It is a challenge to keep up the good name of the Wiltshire Yeoman but it is one we intend to rise to. The menu will be different but just as good as it always has been.

“Marcus was trained at Ashington Villa in Newcastle, which has a great reputation.”

Marcus said: “We will be looking to launch a new menu shortly, with a lunch menu that will still be available in the evening, and a fancy dinner menu.

“We are getting the feel of what people want. Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. I think we’re going to enjoy it here.”

Meanwhile, The Rose and Crown in Worton is on the market but will continue to operate as usual until a new owner is found.