The Red Lion in Wincanton set for January sports bar relaunch

A pub in Wincanton set to be relaunched as a sports bar is to reopen in the next three weeks, it is hoped.
The Red Lion pub, off Market Place, was closed five weeks ago in the aftermath of an assault.
However, after a buyer came forward, the pub is set to be reopened as the town's only dedicated multi-screen sports bar.
New owner Paul Wrigglesworth had hoped to open its doors in time for Christmas.
But after the pub's refurbishment has taken longer than expected, it is now hoped to be open to the public by "mid-January".
Mr Wrigglesworth, who also runs The Boutique nightclub, in Honiton, Devon, said: "We wish we had managed to open it in time for Christmas, but we are still in there redecorating.
"We hope it will be open by the middle of January – there is lots of work ongoing, including sorting out vermin in the cellar."
John Smith, chairman of Wincanton Businesses Together, has welcomed the plans to relaunch the pub as a 'themed bar'.
He said: "This will be very interesting. Being a themed bar could well be the sort of edge that makes it a huge success.
"However, it will be hard work because all our other pubs and hotels in Wincanton also have their edge or niche.
"Like any business, it will need to show people they have something special to offer."
For more reaction, see next Thursday's Wincanton, Bruton and Castle Cary edition of the Western Gazette.