Published: Wednesday, 11th March, 2009 12:30pm

Pub's new lease of life

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STEVE Ellis has bucked the bitter recession trend - by reopening a pub.

The Claddagh Ring in Katesgrove shut more than a month ago but Southcote man Mr Ellis, 41, has given it a new lease of life and restored its previous name - The Kennet Arms.

Mr Ellis, who is a trackman for Network Rail, heard the pub was available while doing a DJ night as The Ice Man.

He said: "It used to be The Kennet Arms 20 years ago, so we are just bringing the old name back to it. I hope it will bring in the community that live around this area and they'll see it as their local.

"I hope it will be a place where anyone can come, all ages, all groups, everybody can come and enjoy themselves. I want it to be family orientated so people can bring their kids."

It opened on Friday last week and guests included Mr Ellis's brother Winston Ellis, who has appeared in films Pirates Of The Caribbean and The Dark Knight.

It is Mr Ellis's first pub venture and he plans to play music from the 60s at the venue - on the corner of Pell Street and Elgar Road - as well as hosting karaoke nights.