A popular Marlow pub that closed its doors last year will be brought back to life with a £500,000 revamp thanks to long-standing residents who want to restore it back to its former glory.

The troubled Cross Keys pub, in Spittal Street, has been closed for a year after it was deemed to be “no longer financially viable” by Star Pubs & Bars, Heineken’s pub business.

But the firm, along with residents and pub landlords Carlos Maidana and Joy Roberts – who run the award-winning Grouse & Ale, in Lane End, and the Yew Tree at Frieth which they also helped to save from closure in 2017 – is set to transform the Cross Keys into an “old-world city pub harking back to the Victorian era”.

And Carlos and Joy also want to rename the pub to signal its change of direction and are considering new names which will “celebrate Marlow’s history”.

Mr Maidana said: “Joy and I have known the Cross Keys for twenty years but as it has always been so different to the kinds of pubs we run, we never dreamt we’d take it on.

“It’s sad to see a closed pub – especially when it’s in the middle of your local town - and it galvanised us to take a look.

“We wanted to do something about it and bring the Cross Keys back to life for people to enjoy once again.

“There are very few independent traditional pubs remaining in Marlow’s centre and feedback from residents is that this is what they would like to see.

“There are already plenty of good bars and restaurants, you have to be exceptional to succeed here and we want to create the very best of traditional pubs.”

The “dramatic” redesign will strip out the inside of the building to create an “old world” bar with real fires and deep leather seating.

It will focus on drinks with 16 pumped beers, 40 whiskeys and 80 wines, of which 24 will be available by the glass.

As well as having a craft gin offering and its own locally distilled gin, the pub will host distilling classes and, in time, have an on-site distillery.

In contrast to the traditional bar, a modern extension on the back of the Cross Keys is being converted into an open plan kitchen with a 48-cover restaurant, and outside, the couple say they want to improve the frontage of the building so it is more in keeping with the architecture of other Spittal Street buildings.

There will be a sun garden at the back of the pub with seating for 60 people.

Carlos added: “With so many well used gyms in the area and a big rowing and cycling community, we felt there had to be room for a pub with dining that puts healthy but delicious food centre stage.”

Star Pubs & Bars operations director Neil Convery said: “Carlos and Joy have a proven track record of creating well-loved pubs in the area and beyond.

“As local people, they know and care about Marlow and understand what residents want. They have enormous vision and enthusiasm and we’re delighted to be working with them to reopen The Cross Keys and set it on a new and exciting course.”