A family who have taken over management of a popular Shropshire bar and restaurant aim to build on its reputation and expand its services.

Ian and Elizabeth Christian are the new landlords of the Plume of Feathers on Harley Bank, near Much Wenlock, which they are rebranding as a restaurant, bar and motel.

“We are very excited about our new venture,” said Ian, who has over 30 years of restaurant ownership and management experience, covering a wide range of hospitality businesses in the Midlands.

“It’s great to be running such a well-known establishment as the Plume of Feathers and we have lots of plans to enhance the business.

“Shropshire has a wealth of really good food producers and we are passionate about using locally-sourced ingredients where possible.

“Our first job was to extend the hours – we are now open from 10am, serving coffee and cake and for food between 12 and 5pm and then 6pm and 9pm.

“We have a revised wine list and have just launched our new menu, greatly extending the vegetarian option and adding an a la carte choice.

“Our aim is to develop the restaurant’s reputation for freshly-prepared and imaginatively created dishes,” Ian said.

The menu has been created by new head chef Shane Gleave and Ian’s son Declan, a qualified chef who has worked at Malmaison in Birmingham.

Ian’s wife Elizabeth, who has extensive corporate business, sales and marketing and customer service experience, said that they would also be promoting the Plume’s nine letting rooms.

“We are looking forward to meeting local people and visitors and have been really pleased with the welcome we have received so far and the positive response to our changes,” she added.