NEW landlords are raising some cheer in Dorchester as the county town is bucking the trend of pub closures.

They are looking forward to reopening the Bull’s Head Inn at Fordington after it closed and was left vacant for nearly five months.

The traditional pub is reversing the trend of pub closures which has hit other communities in Dorchester and west Dorset.

Now former Fordington resident Sarah Gifford, 38, and her husband Martin, 54, are moving back to the area to take charge of the watering hole.

Sarah said: “I think we need to be keeping as many pubs open as possible.

“I saw it was available, phoned up and it all went from there.

“The Bull’s Head has so much potential and I think we need someone local in there who’s willing to put in the effort.

“We’re both really up for it – the locals can’t wait to have their pub back open again.”

The couple will be moving their children Leah, 14 and Holly, 11 into the upstairs accommodation.

Martin has a background in mechanics while Sarah is a little more used to handling optics and beer pumps, having experience in the pub trade.

It is hoped that the pub will be open by Saturday, with an official opening day on September 12 that will include live music and a hog roast.

The Giffords aim to attract young musical talent to the pub and would especially like to hear from local bands that would like to perform on the opening day or on another date.

The pub is in the high street at Fordington, close to homes around the green and the St George’s Road area.

Sarah added: “We want to make it a family friendly pub and turn it back into a traditional pub.”