At a time when pubs are struggling with the smoking ban, beer price rises and the general economic downturn, the landlords of two pubs are bucking the trend by announcing investment.

The Rose and Crown, in Stanton, re-opened on Saturday after being closed for six months.

And the Red House, in Stanningfield, hopes to build a £100,000 extension and refurbishment to provide a guest house.

Sam Gosling and her partner Tom Wortley have taken over at The Rose and Crown. Sam said they had strong support for the pub from the village and Punch Taverns, which owns the pub.

"We re-opened it Saturday night and it was really busy. It was really good," said Sam.

"We have had all the locals in and they have been saying that it is nice to have the pub back open. There seems to be a lot of local support."

The couple have refurbished much of the pub already and hope to refurbish the function room by the end of the summer, ready for Christmas bookings.

Just 18 months ago, villagers had been fighting to keep open the Red House pub, Stanningfield. Peter Thorogood, landlord at the time, had applied for planning permission to convert the pub into a house, claiming the pub was not financially viable.

Planning permission was refused last February.

Now, new landlords Neil and Amanda Thompson have submitted plans for an extension to create four bed and breakfast rooms and additional pub space.

Neil said the extension could attract tourists, commercial guests and friends and family visiting people in the village.

"We took over 15 months ago, when the pub was possibly at its lowest ebb," he said.

"We are now attempting to secure the future of the Red House."

The total cost of the work, which will include work to the roof, is estimated at £80-100,000.

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