A LANDMARK Newport pub, whose landlord's impassioned letter calling for pride to be restored in the city centre struck a huge chord with our readers, has re-opened early today after queues built up outside.

The Lamb pub, on Bridge Street, Newport has undergone a £200,000 refurbishment, with £125,000 investment by Admiral Taverns - and it is hoped the refurbishment will be a shot in the arm for the hard-pressed city centre.

Licensee Jon Thomas, 49, of Newport, has worked with Admiral Taverns on the project since November last year.

In March this year, he wrote a letter to the Argus calling on the powers-that-be and residents to come to the rescue of the ailing city centre.

He wrote: "What's happened to Newport? It's lost its pride, and its soul. We have the most resilient people in South Wales living here and we have a legacy of being one of the most famous industrial centres in the history of the world."

Mr Thomas' letter said he faced a dilemma of whether to invest in the city centre. It so impressed editor Kevin Ward that he gave his Editor's Chair column over to it - prompting a huge response from our readers.

That investment went ahead, with renovation work which included the complete refurbishment of the ground floor, including new 3D TVs, an overhaul of the bar area, new seating and lighting and also new external signage and seating.

Mr Thomas who has worked in the hospitality trade for over 25 years believed the opportunity to invest in Newport was too good to be missed.

Mr Thomas said: “I’ve known of The Lamb for years, so when the opportunity came up to take over the reins I leapt at the chance.

"I saw it as a great opportunity to open a London-style pub in the centre of Newport.

“The pub has long been part of the lifeblood of the city, but unfortunately had not had any serious investment for at least 20 years.

“But it has really been an exciting team effort, working every step of the way with Admiral Taverns, who have been brilliant."

The pub has also taken on two new apprentices who will be trained for a career in the hospitality industry with a full time on at The Lamb at the end of the paid apprenticeship.

Caren Laing, Admiral’s business development manager for South Wales said: "The new Lamb is a place we are all really proud of, during an exciting time for Newport.”