THERE has been a big shake-up in one north Cumbrian town’s pub scene.

Popular Brampton hotel the Howard Arms was back in action for the first time yesterday, after a major refurbishment had kept it closed for a month.

But many Brampton residents expressed their sadness last week when the news broke on social media that pub and B&B The Scotch Arms Mews was closing its bar.

Speaking to The Cumberland News, owner Dianne Noble explained the decision was a difficult one to make.

“After an extremely difficult few years for our families personally, we have decided to concentrate on the accommodation side of our business,” said Dianne, who purchased the Scotch Arms Mews in 2013 with her husband Colin and their family.

“The decision to close our bar was an extremely difficult one as we have always had such wonderful support as a local business but also as a family,” Diane continued.

“We have been extremely lucky with the support of so many wonderful people, who came in for a drink with us and with whom we got to know really well.”

Dianne added that The Scotch Arms Mews will remain available for private hire and family functions.

But the sad news for Brampton was softened this week by the reopening of the Howard Arms, now run by Andrew and Ruth Seggie.

Ruth, who formerly managed Mr Brown’s cafe next door to the Howard Arms, was delighted at how the renovation had come together. Speaking before the grand reopening, Ruth was eager to unveil the refurbished Howard Arms

“I can’t wait to get it open. All the staff are really excited, they’re excited to get back into it. It’s completely different. You wouldn’t recognise the place now. It’s lovely, they’ve done a really good job on it.”

Ruth explained that the whole downstairs had been revamped - from the bar area to the function room - along a Brampton history theme.

“We’ve gone down the historical route,” she said. “We researched a lot of Brampton history. We’ve got guns above the fireplaces because we used to have the Belted Will armoury here.We’ve got a Stevenson’s Rocket theme - that ended up in Brampton for its last little bit of life - and there’s a Charles Dickens theme too, he stayed here as well.”