The new landlord of a pub five minutes from the heart of Watford says he wants to "get back to basis" as he takes over his local.
Ryan Walsh is a "local lad" who grew up and drank in The Dick Whittington in Prestwick Road, South Oxhey, before taking it over last month.
When owners Stonegate marketed the pub, he felt a duty to step up, explaining: "This is my first time running a pub and it came about because I wanted to keep the pub open and I wanted to keep it local.
I had heard rumblings it could become an Indian restaurant and felt that South Oxhey needs a proper pub."
Ryan is hoping that the coming weeks and months will see the interior given a "facelift" as part of his attempts to make the pub more welcoming.
"We want to bring in everyone and not just appeal to one demographic", he said, emphasising a desire to be family-friendly and provide a hub for the whole community.
While food is served, it won't be as big a part of the offering as it was under his predecessor, with more of a focus on drinks and being a more traditional pub.
Ryan said: "When people come in for a drink, they aren't really interested in having a four-course meal!"
Live sport, especially football, will remain key, with football-mad Ryan touting the access to Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
With the business end of the football season looming, he plans to take full advantage by heavily advertising the sport that is on offer.
Reflecting on his first month, he said that he feels that "the pub's moving in the right direction and going back to being the place people remember".
Plans are in the pipeline for an increase in live music and DJ nights, with "lots of exciting ideas and changes lined up".
When marketing the pub to would-be landlords, Stonegate's regional manager had said: "The Dick Whittington is a business that is waiting to have its full potential realised.
"The current clientele comprises locals from the community with a wide variety of ages.”
