A well-known Holme Valley pub has new owners.

Three entrepreneurs from Manchester – Italian father and son Roberto and Alessandro Vergine and Neal Barnes – have taken over The Farmer’s Arms.

Roberto has 30 years of experience in catering and the food industry, having moved to the UK more than 15 years ago and run several successful business ventures in and around Manchester.

His 24-year-old son Alessandro, who is now in charge of the pub kitchen, is a self-trained chef who has worked in the role at Manchester United and at the Alderley Edge Bar & Grill, at Alderley, Near Macclesfield.

Taking on the promotional and corporate side of the business is Neal Barnes, who has 25 years of experience in brand design and marketing management . He has worked with many blue chip clients in the UK and internationally.

Said Alessandro: “We’ve now been successfully trading for well over a month and we’re absolutely chuffed about how great everything’s going.

“Whilst still running with renovation work, we have managed to keep the pub open for service every day since the takeover and achieve positive feedback from regular customers, who have given us their full support.”

Holme Valley parish councillor Greg Christofi said: “I already struggle to count how many times I have visited Farmer’s Arms since the takeover.

“The new management team has really taken the food and the service to another level, so I have to keep on going back.

“It’s always great to see new entrepreneurs coming to Holmfirth and striving to become a part of the local community.”