The new manager for The Horns pub has said they are “really pleased” with the community’s reaction to the pub reopening.

The Horns, in Hempstead Road, Watford, reopened on December 22 after a two-month closure when the previous operator said business was “unsustainable”.

Denis Cook, who ran the pub from 2001 to 2009, has returned as the new weekends and evenings manager after the business was taken over by a landlord who runs multiple pubs in Watford.

Denis said: “We are really pleased with the reaction we have had in the last week. New people coming in and old people coming back.”

Watford Observer: New manager Denis Cook previously ran the pub between 2001 and 2009.New manager Denis Cook previously ran the pub between 2001 and 2009. (Image: Denis Cook.)

The manager said the atmosphere has been “fantastic” so far and the pub was at 75 per cent capacity last Saturday night despite the usual post-Christmas decline. 

The reopening saw the return of 'Denis on the Decks', as the manager DJs every Friday and hosts live bands and tribute acts every Saturday. 

The 'Forever Jackson' Michael Jackson tribute act, who performed in front of the popstar himself for his 45th birthday party in Los Angeles, will sing there on March 9. 

The Horns underwent renovations during the closure which saw the interior deep-cleaned and redecorated, and new flooring will be installed within the next few weeks.

The brewery which owns the pub, Stonegate Group, is also planning to refurbish the outside seating area before the summer.

It is operating a reduced hours schedule during the first months but the manager is “confident” for the pub’s future in the year ahead.

“It’s no walk in the park but we’re working very hard to make it a success and bring back the fun and enjoyment of Watford’s best music venue,” he added.

Denis has welcomed local social clubs, such as the bereavement group the Moving On Club, into the venue and said he wants to make it a “community pub”.

“If we can bring the community together, put on good things and have friendly service then the future looks bright.”

The Horns closed for the second time in two years from October 21 to December 22, after the previous operator said the pub was “totally unsustainable”.

Before that, it said it would close “for the last time” in October 2022 before a strong response from locals and meetings with the brewery allowed it to stay open.