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Scott Birch, new owner of the Rhydspence Inn, outside the ancient pub. Picture by James Maggs.
One of Herefordshire’s oldest pubs is being given a new lease of life.
The 14th century Rhydspence Inn, just inside the Welsh border near Hay-on-Wye, has been bought by father and son publicans Ian and Scott Birch.
The family already owns the Castefields country pub in Clifford on the opposite side of the River Wye.
Previous owner of the Rhydspence, Peter Glover had struggled to sell the business ahead of his retirement and had applied to turn the ancient building into a private house.
Scott, aged 25, said they don’t plan on making “drastic changes” to the site.
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