The Traveller's Rest pub in Caversham is to have a £250,000 re-vamp after a special re-opening party on Halloween.

The pub, located on Henley Road in Caversham, had been a 'Sizzling pub' venue run by Mitchells and Butlers before it closed on Friday, October 11. 

Now the site's owner Brakspear has found a new landlord to join some previous staff and inject new life into the venue. 

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Darren Brett has taken on the lease of the pub, with previous staff manager Emma Foreman to stay on as manager. 

Caversham pub Traveller's Rest is undergoing a re-vamp before reopening - with further improvements due in the new year.Caversham pub Traveller's Rest is undergoing a re-vamp before reopening - with further improvements due in the new year. (Image: Darren Brett)

More than £50,000 has already been allocated for a range of improvements ready for the pub's reopening, which will see a new a pool table and new TVs showing Sky Sports and TNT Sports. 

Brakspear will be investing around £250,000 for new fixtures and fittings in the new year, according to Darren.

The pub aims to reopen its function room, with a view to provide a hireable space for those attending the nearby crematorium in All Hallows Road. 

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Darren, who has run pubs for over five years, said Caversham was in need of a revitalised yet traditional pub. 

The 51-year-old said: "The site interested me because Brakspear are a small brewery and a family business.

"I knew Emma from working with her previously. I was also interested because of the demographics of the area - there's definitely a market in Caversham for a well run traditional pub."

Fans of the pub's food will be pleased to hear that the menu will remain the same when the venue reopens - but change is on the way. 

Darren said: "The menu is going to be very similar in the beginning - we want to take our time and then look to reinvent it in January or February."

The team is also looking for new staff to come onboard before the busy Christmas period. 

Darren said: "We're about 75 percent of the way there with staff. We're looking for anyone who has worked in hospitality before. 

"We're also looking for students for the Christmas period.

The new owner is keen to sponsor a local football team, as Darren previously worked for Rush Soccer, which bills itself as the largest youth football club in the world.

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The landlord also played for Nottingham Forest as a youth player. 

Darren said: "We'd love to sponsor a men's or women's team given my background."

The Traveller's Rest will reopen on Thursday, October 31, with a special Halloween party involving fancy dress and a spooky playlist.