A once infamous Hertfordshire pub has reopened 150-years on from serving its last pint.

Restaurant group Lussmanns has relaunched The Five Bells, in Berkhamsted High Street, aiming to make it a top destination for a relaxing meal or drink.

Lussmanns founder and The Five Bells owner Andrei Lussman said: “We want customers to come in off the High Street, leave the worries of the world at the door, appreciate a proper pint or whatever drink takes their fancy, and tuck into some really good food done the Lussmanns way.”

Watford Observer: Andrei Lussman at The Five Bells.Andrei Lussman at The Five Bells. (Image: Lussmanns)

However, in the 1860s the pub had a very different reputation and had to be closed down when landlord Stephen Holloway refused to assist police with their enquiries “on the occasion of a lot of navvies making a disturbance,” the restaurant group explained.

It was apparently also notorious for bare-knuckle boxing.

Watford Observer: Andrei Lussman with celebrated beer and wine taster Roger Protz, who poured the first pint.Andrei Lussman with celebrated beer and wine taster Roger Protz, who poured the first pint. (Image: Lussmanns)

The new-look Five Bells is now laid out with a traditional bar area with beer pumps and more formal restaurant space behind the bar area for lunch and dinner. It also has a large beer garden.

Since closing as a pub, the restaurant had been run by a corn merchant, dairyman, coal merchant, electrician, tailor, and as tea house and restaurant.

Andrei added: “We’re delighted to be breathing new life into a piece of Berkhamsted history, bringing it into the 21st Century.”

Watford Observer: The Five Bells food.The Five Bells food. (Image: Lussmanns)