A NEW look pub has won approval from Witham MP Priti Patel following a £400,000 renovation.

The Angel public house, which is based in St Mary’s Square in Kelvedon, welcomed the Home Secretary as special guest last week.

Ms Patel paid the pub a visit to meet management partners Laura Smith and Rogan Wickham.

The pair showed Ms Patel the results of the pub’s recent £400,000 refurbishment which was completed in March.

Undertaken by Punch Pubs and Co, the Angel had a full internal makeover, bringing the pub into the 21st century while making the most of its Elizabethan roots.

The revamp included the creation of a new garden for customers to enjoy the summer sun.

The pub was brought under new management by Punch Pubs, which runs around 1,300 pubs across the UK.

The Angel also now offers a dining experience with a new menu being created.

The menu features classic British dishes alongside more modern bistro meals with the kitchen being supplied with ingredients from the Queens’s butcher, Aubrey Allen.

Gazette: Pub - Priti Patel MP pulls a pint alongside Management Partners Laura Smith and Rogan Wickham during her tour of The Angel, Kelvedon (Stuart Gulleford) Pub - Priti Patel MP pulls a pint alongside Management Partners Laura Smith and Rogan Wickham during her tour of The Angel, Kelvedon (Stuart Gulleford)

Ms Patel said: “It was a pleasure to meet Laura and Rogan and to see what an excellent facility has been created here.

“It is an asset to the community of Kelvedon and welcoming for a quiet drink or a good meal.

“The country pub is quintessentially British and is at the heart of many communities.”

Laura Smith, who grew up locally, added: “It was wonderful to be able to welcome Priti into our pub today. Having grown up and lived locally all my life, it’s good to know MPs are committed to listening to their constituents.

“It was great to have the time to share and discuss with Priti my experiences of the challenges and pressures local hospitality businesses are currently experiencing.”