A HEREFORDSHIRE pub has undergone a refurbishment after villagers raised funds.

The Mortimer Community Benefit Society spent a £20,000 grant from the Postcode Lottery on the Bell at Yarpole.

The community-owned pub has benefited from the fitting of new double-glazed windows throughout the building and the flat above.

All 27 windows in the pub have been replaced with thermally efficient windows.

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It has replaced the old many-times-filled single-glazed windows that had long served their purpose, said a spokesperson from the society.

"With businesses struggling because of rising fuel bills this comes at a welcome time for the Bell at Yarpole," they said.

"Hopefully, allowing a significant saving in heating costs for the building."

Tenant Iain Dixon has been working hard to revitalise the Bell.

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The pub is the hub of the village with regular local events and place to eat for a memorable meal at a price which is realistic, said the spokesperson.

It has an ever-changing á la carte menu alongside a more traditional bar menu all sourced from the freshest local ingredients.

New customers and locals visit on a regular basis, said the spokesperson.

"With pubs closing and down the country at an alarming rate it is a welcome relief to see the Bell at Yarpole gaining business since re-opening in May of this year," they said.

"Perhaps not the ideal time to start a new business. Post-Covid-19 restrictions and now with the inflationary pressures.

"But the team at the Bell are confident that with a standout pub they can weather the storm."

Julian Stokes, chairman of the Mortimer Community Benefit Society, said: "It is great to be in a position to make improvements to the fabric of the building; something which has not happened for 20 years."

The next project is for the Cider Barn, which is attached to the Bell, and its 17th-century old horse-driven cider mill and press.

Improvements to the insulation are needed to make the space more affordable to use.

But the Mortimer Community Benefit Society will need to find additional funding.