A prominent town centre pub which closed earlier this month has reopened under new management.

The Old Prince of Wales Pub in New Street, Ashford was boarded up at the start of July but threw open its doors again earlier this week.

Manager Jason Davison, who has 28 years experience in the industry, has taken up a temporary lease to get it back up and running while a new long-term tenant is found.

"I have been in this industry all my life - I was previously a multiple operator managing around 15 to 20 pubs," the 48-year-old said.

"I will be managing it for the time being. I could be here from three months to a year.

"We will be doing karaoke and disco nights and we are also looking to start happy hours next week."

The pub will be open from 10am to 9pm from Sunday to Thursday.

On Fridays and Saturdays, it will open from 12pm to 1am.

Mr Davison added: "We've have cleaned the place up a bit and we are hoping to get the carpets changed within the next month.

"The outside needs waking up a little bit and the damp issue will be resolved."

It is thought that Enterprise Inns - which owns the pub - will be covering the cost of the refurbishments.

But while The Old Princes of Wales is now back up and running, a bar opposite has closed its doors.

The Auction House Bar - which was relaunched in March after previously being called Lot 7 - has been put up to let.

The circumstances surrounding its closure remain unclear but the lease is now on the market.

Stafford Perkins is advertising the property.

Director Richard Stafford said: "It is early days and we have only had one person look at it so far, but I do expect to see some interest.

"We had some interest the last time it was on the market and it is in a good location for a night time site.

"I gather it was quite popular as a place to go for an early evening drink and then people could stay there all night.

"There aren't many town centre bars and the new tenants could start trading immediately."

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