A 17TH century Shaftesbury pub is set to re-open after a refurb later this month.

Wiltshire-based hospitality firm Chickpea Group has been hard at work making over the King’s Arms, in Bleke Street, which closed last year.

The pub is a short stroll from the iconic Gold Hill and a spokesperson for Chickpea said the building was “packed with charm, period features and a large open fireplace, with plenty of cosy corners”.

Members of the Chickpea team have been busy working on a full refit of the space, redecorating to add “a rich colour palette of deep greens and reds, handmade blinds, tables, chairs and soft furnishings”, they added.

Set to re-open later this month, the King’s Arms will operate from 11am to 11pm, seven days a week, offering drinks and “pub bangers” in the 100-cover dining space.

“The Kings Arms has all the characteristics of a great pub: a roaring fire, long bar, and plenty of space,” said Chickpea co-founder, Ethan Davids.

“We think our model will work nicely there and we’re looking forward to swinging the doors back open after a particularly long period of closure.

“See you at the bar.”

In a new move, the pub’s former games room will be redesigned, with a separate entrance and used as a revolving “pop-up concept”, giving the team the chance to bring in “seasonal special guests, retail offerings and much more”.

Chickpea has grown into a nine-pub group, operating in the likes of Salisbury, Zeals and more.