A HISTORIC pub which reopened only two years ago has been awarded two prestigious AA rosettes.

The New Inn at St Owen’s Cross was relaunched by local farming couple and Gun Dog Gin owners Mark and Julie Green having most most recently traded as The White Mughal.

And now it has two rosettes to its name for the quality of its top food and luxury rooms.

It reopened as The White Mughal in 2014, but closed some five years ago.

And restoring and reopening the former 16th century coaching inn under its traditional name was a labour of love for Mark, who is also behind Two Farmers Crisps, developer Mark Freeman and chef Michael Fowler.

The pub offers a British-modern menu using local and seasonal produce, and has three renovated rooms.

Chef Michael Fowler, who most recently worked in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Chris Oakley, said: “Speaking on behalf of everyone here, we are delighted and proud to have been given such awards on only our first visit from the AA.

“From the kitchen, right through to the front of house and housekeeping teams we work together to ensure the absolute best food is served with the best service, in the best surroundings.

“We would all like to thank every one of our suppliers. It is thanks to their quality ingredients as well, that we have achieved so much.”

Mark and Julie said: “We are very happy that the AA has endorsed everything available at The New Inn.

“Guests can pop in for drinks in the bar and in the garden, or for gorgeous food. Either way, they can always be assured of a wonderfully warm welcome.

“We are so proud of the entire team.”

When relaunching the pub two years ago, Mark said: “I am passionate about keeping our pubs open, they are the heart of our local communities and giving The New Inn a new lease of life is more important now than ever.

“We hope people will enjoy a fantastic Herefordshire welcome when visiting. We have focused on sourcing local, using local services and of course, our menu will be locally focused too.”

Eat Sleep Live (ESL) Herefordshire, who market the county as a tourism venue, say the team behind the relaunch of the pub have acheived their vision of country pub chic.