Four years after the Crow announced that Banyers Hotel – one of Royston’s most iconic buildings – closed its doors, it’s finally set to be relaunched.

The new owners pub group Oakman Inns & Restaurants have invested a great deal of time and money into its new life and have confirmed that doors will open to the public on Friday, December 2, under the building’s original name Banyers House.

Mayor Sarah Dingley said: “The whole town has been anticipating this opening for some time, and we are delighted that such an inspirational, multi-award winning company as Oakman Inns has decided to invest in the beautiful and iconic 17th century Banyers House – it is sure to be a hub for quality dining.”

While the builders and decorators are busy getting the look just right for the opening area manager Rod Stewart has been recruiting people from the area to join their team of 40 which will be headed up by general manager Fabio Santos.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far,” said Rod.

“Both our drop-in recruitment days were busy and although we’ve still got a few places to fill, training starts next week so that we’re ready for our opening.”

There will also be nine luxury ensuite bedrooms at Banyers House which the owners hope will be popular with local business people and weekenders alike.

Royston’s town manager is Geraint Burnell.

“The reopening of the Banyers represents the welcomed return to use of a local landmark and the latest of several investments in Royston,” he said.

“Good news for local diners, good news for local jobs and good news for Royston!”

Banyers House will be open from 7am daily, and the new owners say the lounge and bar will be ideal for catching up with friends, family or colleagues, serving everything from a superbly-crafted and properly made cappuccino to a variety of teas and a wide range of beers, cocktails, wines and soft drinks.

The menu will flex throughout the day serving breakfast, brunch, bar snacks, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner – and the team are thrilled to have nearly 200 covers booked in advance already.

Using sustainably-sourced ingredients, head chef Vasileios Totolidis and his brigade will be cooking freshly prepared Mediterranean-inspired seasonal dishes, including daily specials, while the traditional wood-fired oven will produce hand-made pizzas to order.

To find out more or to make a booking go to the website www.banyershouse.co.uk, call 01763 290530 or search ‘Banyers House’ on Facebook and Twitter.