Nobody driving past the sad sight of the former Courtfield Arms in Lydbrook over the past six months could fail to spot the endless stream of builders’ vans in the car park, then they were gone, and the Courtfield was reborn as The River Wye Lodge. Now a self-catering holiday home for groups of up to 26 people developed by Ross on Wye entrepreneur Lewis Scott, co-owner of Big House Holiday Lets.

’Getting it ready on time has been gruelling for all concerned," Lewis, who is based in Monmouth told the Ross Gazette. "We were ushering the cleaners out the side door while welcoming our first group of guests in the front. I had to warn them to stay out of the kitchen till the floor dried. It didn’t matter though, as they were stunned by what we’d achieved, and thrilled to be staying in the

Forest. In fact by day three they’d rebooked for next year.”

When the Change of Use application came before the planners earlier this year disquiet was expressed by some local people as to whether Big House Holiday Lets would be able to transform the derelict pub into a thriving business.

Lewis added: "I really hope that people will now see just how successful this project is. I never doubted it for a moment as we have seven other properties nearby which are full all year round. River Wye Lodge is already fully booked till January with many weeks filled for 2017 as well."

Lewisalso encourages their hundreds of guests to spend their money locally. “All our holidaymakers are fully informed of the wonderful array of attractions, activities, and places to eat and drink on their doorstep and they’ll make a great

contribution to our local economy, as well as helping save a beautiful old building”.