AN historic pub that has been closed for almost four years could reopen before Christmas.

Work has finally begun on the renovation of the King's Arms Hotel in Dorchester.

The iconic building not only featured heavily in author Thomas Hardy's famous works The Mayor of Casterbridge and Far From the Madding Crowd, but, over the years, it has also played host to Queen Victoria, King George IV, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Owners Stay Original purchased the King's Arms in 2016, around a year after it was closed by its former owners. It was originally hoped to have the business re-opened by January 2017 but the refurbishment was hit by delays.

Stay Original, a Somerset-based boutique hotel and pub group, have now announced that work has begun on the £5m refurbishment, and it's expected to open early in 2020 - although if everything goes well the reopening could be brought forward to just before Christmas 2019.

Rob Greacen, managing director of Stay Original Co., said: “You can’t fail to be impressed by the drive amongst the people of Dorchester to invest in the town and actively promote its strong historic and literary heritage. The Kings Arms is a lovely and important part of that legacy and we really hope we can do our part to improve things further. Nothing gives us more pleasure than reviving beautiful old buildings and making them busy and exciting places to visit.

"We’re expecting to open early in 2020 but if the project goes well, we may be able to bring that forward to just before Christmas. It all depends on how smoothly the refurbishment goes. But when the doors do re open, visitors can expect a rejuvenated Kings Arms offering first class hospitality again – back to its best. Maybe even better!”

In January 2015, when the hotel was managed and run independently, the business went into receivership. It was then purchased by Stay Original Co - then known as Draco Pub Company - who closed it for refurbishment in December 2015. There were plans to renovate the building and have it re-open by January 2017 but this date was pushed back.

Phase one of the refurbishment of The King’s Arms will see the ground floor with bar, reception, restaurant and 20 bedrooms open early in 2020. Phase two - with an extra 14 bedrooms - will roll out a few months later.