Taking over a village pub is a challenge at any time but doing it in the middle of a pandemic would be considered by many to be a brave step indeed.

But that's just what partners Georgie Bell and Stephen Clark have done by becoming the new landlords at the quaint New Inn in Kilmington – and after just four weeks at the popular pub they have no regrets at all.

Georgie and Stephen looked at a number of pubs in the area owned by Palmer's Brewery but decided on the New Inn in the middle of lockdown. In fact, they opened for just one day before lockdown2 was introduced so they had to lock the doors and plan how they could trade within the new government restrictions.

Before moving to the West Country, the couple ran a pub in Rugby, Warwickshire, after Georgie had retired from working in the Prison Service for 23 years.

Stephen hails from the North East and spent many holidays in the West Country as a child. He also lived in Exeter for a while.

He worked as a cook when he served in the Army with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and was also a steward at a couple of golf clubs responsible for catering before he and Georgie took a pub in the market town of Rugby.

After being forced to close the Kilmington pub after just one day's trading due to the second Covid lockdown, Georgie and Stephen put together a takeaway menu and delivery service for the more elderly villagers which was well supported.

Lockdown has also enabled them to put in place all the essential arrangements necessary when taking over a new business and they look upon their move to the Axminster area as the long term future for their family. They have a daughter, Lauren, aged 12, who is now settled at Honiton Community College, a friendly dog Harry, a cockapoo, and a horse which is stabled at near-by Cranberrry's which Georgie hopes to ride occasionally.

Talking about their plans when the coronavirus has been eradicated, Stephen said: "We will of course welcome visitors to the pub but our main focus will be on the locals who will always come first. We have already received great support from the people of Kilmington."

The skittle alley at the New Inn has always been in popular demand and Stephen confirmed they would be welcoming back the ten teams that play at the pub as well as the darts and cribbage teams as soon as coronavirus restrictions are eased.

The New Inn is conforming to the present lockdown tier 2 regulations offering substantial meals with alcohol for a maximum of six diners from the same household or support bubble with waitress service.

At the moment the New Inn will be closed on Monday and Tuesday but open for the rest of the week from 12 noon to 3 pm and 6pm to 10 pm, Wednesday to Saturday. On Sundays, they will be open from 12 noon to 7 pm. The takeaway service will continue seven days a week.

A traditional Sunday lunch with a choice of roast pork, beef, gammon and chicken is available - £10.95 for one course, £14.95 for two courses and £17.95 for three courses.

A Kilmington breakfast club is also being introduced with a full English being served on Saturdays for £8.50 between 9 am and 11 am.

A special turkey, beef or salmon Christmas menu will be served on the following dates: December 10th to 13th, December 16th to 20th, December 23rd and December 27th to 30th. Three courses will cost £23.95 and two courses £19.95. A carrot and cashew Wellington will also be available for vegetarians.

Georgie and Stephen have also introduced a meat draw at 6.30 pm on Friday evenings which is already proving popular with tickets at 50p a strip.

With Georgie and Stephen having been at the pub for just only a month, it is already clear they are determined to establish the New Inn as an important part of Kilmington's community life.

To book table call 01297 333376.