The Kingston Tup has re-opened its doors to drinkers, after being shut down for six weeks following the departure of its previous owners.

Devastated locals feared for the London Road watering hole’s future, with many concerned the prime piece of central Kingston property could be converted into flats.

But normal service has been resumed after pub chain London Town snapped it up.

The new management team has hit the ground running, re-installing the pub’s Sky TV package and smoking garden and organising karaoke, DJ sets and live local bands.

New pub boss Jarlath McCormack said: “It’s a great pub, but it has had a few changes of ownership.

“A lot of the locals were worried that it might be converted into flats and that they would lose it altogether.

“Since we opened up again, we have had fantastic support from the local community and from students at Kingston University, which is close by.

“They are as determined as we are that we keep the Tup buzzing well into the future.”

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