A FAMILIAR face on the city’s entertainment scene says he has big plans to revamp one of Worcester’s oldest riverside pubs.

Tony Gibbon - who will be known to many for his time running Drummonds as well as managing bands including The Beatless tribute band for over a decade - has taken over The Wheatsheaf pub.

The new landlord said he had his eye on the Henwick Road venue for more than 30 years, and recently took over the pub which is one of the oldest in the city, dating back to 1756.

Refurbishment work has got underway, recently discovering a fireplace in the pub’s cellar, dating back to the 1750s, showing the pub's age.

Mr Gibbon said: “I left Drummonds last August.

“My time in the city centre was done, I wanted a new challenge, and was looking for something for myself to take on.

“When I found out it was on the market, I made an immediate offer on it. It is perfect for me.”

The 57-year-old said he was born and bred in Worcester, with his family working in the catering history, so he "grew up in the industry".

He said living at the pub is the first time he has lived that side of the River Severn.

“The views are a hidden gem, it’s one of the city’s best kept secrets,” he said.

“We are near the city centre, but could be in the countryside here.

“In the next month we will be having new lighting, heating, flooring and benches in the outdoor terrace area.

“We are going to have a whole new terrace area, which you will step down to, to the path to the river.

“We have got signs already letting people on the river and dog walkers know we are here. We get a lot of cyclists as well.”

Mr Gibbon says he plans to use the contacts he has built up, to bring music to the pub.

“I’m planning to start live music, probably early Sunday evenings and that will be a weekly thing," he said.

“They will be local acts as I built up connections, helping promote festivals like Mello Festival.

“I run an agency Back Stage Promotions, and that deals with DJs and bands and singers, so I can call upon them too.”

Mr Gibbon said he was aiming to keep the regulars who had helped make it a community pub, as well as attract new clientele including lecturers and students from nearby University of Worcester.

Long term he plans to open up the pub's two function rooms, currently used as storage, so that they can hold events such as weddings, and he also plans to offer meals including Sunday lunches.

“It is all going really well - I can’t wait for when the work is complete, it will look great when we have finished," he added.