Pub in Kibworth is set to undergo a £200,000 refurbishment

But that will mean it will have to close for just over a month while the work stakes place..

The pub will close from January 6 for the revamp by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and its new operator, Wigston born-and-bred Andrew Bolley, who took over

The Railway Arms in the spring of 2019.

Work is expected to take four weeks, and the pub is scheduled to reopen in mid-February.

Named after the adjacent railway, The Railway Arms is believed to date back to the years after Kibworth station was built in 1857.

As part of the restoration, the pub’s old skittle alley will be demolished and replaced with a 60-seat garden.

Andrew, who also operates The Wheel Inn at Oadby, said: “The Railway Arms is a beautiful old building but it’s tired and in need of TLC.

There’s been lots of speculation about its future. I want to broaden its appeal, bring it back to life and make it an asset to the village.

I’ve got many friends living in Kibworth Beauchamp; it's a great place with a real community spirit. I feel very fortunate to have found a pub here.”

Paul Linton, Star Pubs & Bars’ operations director for the Midlands, said: “Andrew is a highly experienced licensee, who knows and cares about the local area.

"We’re delighted to be investing with him to revive The Railway Arms’ fortunes and to give local residents many more reasons to visit.

"With all the new homes in the area, there is real demand for great pubs in Kibworth Beauchamp.”