THE former Crown Hotel in Whitchurch has been taken over and reopens this Friday (August 28).

Nicola Chamberlain and Tom Jones welcome customers to The Crown, which has undergone an extensive refurbishment since they picked up the keys on July 23.

Nicola said: “This is the first part of our exciting journey. The refurbishment of the hotel bedrooms starts in September, and the garden and courtyards will be transformed by next Easter.”

Doors open from 6pm.