One of West Bay’s well-established pubs is set to reopen next month under a new landlord.

The Bridport Arms will be opening on Wednesday, February 1 under new landlord Robin Collyns and his family, who have recently taken over the 16th-century pub which is next to the beach.

The pub has been closed since early December and is undergoing refurbishment.

In addition to the Bridport Arms, the Collyns family have also taken over a smaller Bridport town centre pub, The George Hotel, which opened under their management in late November.

Mr Collyns has 40 years of working in hospitality under his belt and previously ran the Pilot Boat Inn in Lyme Regis with his family for five years but has decided to pursue a new challenge in the Bridport area.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Robin Collyns, pictured above, said: “We are excited to get started, it's a new challenge. Bridport is thriving and we really like it here.

“We were really excited by the Bridport Arms' bedrooms, which will offer a boutique experience with little touches. We are aiming to provide a relaxed welcoming dining experience with high-quality rooms.

“We think people will be looking for a holiday no matter how bad the recession gets."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Mr Collyns says that work is to be done on the Bridport Arms in January before it is re-opened, including re-decorating some of the rooms, and - weather allowing - the exterior.

Mr Collyns added: “We think that the two pubs will synergise well with each other, we have one in town and one on the coast. We see The George Hotel as the younger sibling to The Bridport Arms.

“The George Hotel has had an overwhelming reaction since opening in November, much better than expected. There is a lot of love for it in the community, and we have only been partially open."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Mr Collyns jokes that the family's pub dog Max now has two locations to choose from.

Robin Collyns is joined in this enterprise by his family, including his wife Angela and three children Tom, Ellie, and Ben - who will be the manager of the Bridport Arms.

Mr Collyns added: “Family is very important to us, and it is how we like to see our team.”

Staff are currently being recruited, and Mr Collyns has invited anyone with suggestions for the pub to come in and share them.