The Charnwood Arms at Bardon Hill re-opened its doors to the public again on Friday after a £500,000 refurbishment programme.

It has been closed for almost a month while the work has been carried out - and the place has been redesigned to get rid of what had been described as a 'tired' look.

A VIP evening on Thursday gave some customers a taste of what can be expected - with friendly and helpful staff on hand to make sure things run smoothly.

Charnwood Arms manager, Samantha Butler, told Coalville Nub News about the work that has been carried out over the past few weeks.

She said: "We've been closed for three and half weeks but we were open again at 8am on Friday.

"We've not done anything structurally, but all the internal redecoration has been completed.

"There's a really nice patio now outside which is wheelchair friendly. So everyone can get outside now - and it's really opened up the garden. There's also a function room - the whole thing looks gorgeous."

Sam says the Charnwood Arms needed freshening up - and the half-million pound project has done just that.

She added: "It was tired. It's just not been done for for quite a few years. An investment needed to be made to bring it up to modern standards. But we've always been in a prime area in Coalville.

"We have the hotel as well, which is 35 rooms, but work was done to that section about three years ago."

But Sam added that there is more to the Charnwood Arms than that an expensive makeover.

She said: "We're family friendly, and very community led. 

"This Christmas, we're doing something called 'No-one alone'. 

"We're inviting six people that are struggling with the cost of living crisis to come and have Christmas dinner on us, completely free. 

"But we also do toy donations for children. So that every single children at school can get a present.

"We'll be doing Belvoirdale in Coalville, where my daughter goes, and one of the chef's daughters goes to Saint Clare's Primary, so we're splitting it.

"We know that sometimes children are less fortunate.

"Also, we've raised £5,000 pounds so far for the Macmillan charity, we're also having a Christmas Fair on Sunday, November 26.

"We'll be having Christmas stallholders, mince pies, coffees, cakes, traditional stuff."

Sam, from Coalville, is an experienced pub manager but says he is working with a good team made up of local people.

She added: "The core of everything is we wouldn't be where we are if it wasn't for the team that do such a great job."