A LANDMARK Evesham pub has gone from strength to strength since reopening earlier this year and has already established itself as an international music venue.

The Railway Hotel in Evesham High Street reopened on March 22 under new owners Paul Watson and Tash Heritage.

The couple, who met at the pub just over five years ago, jumped at the chance of taking over the business, which shut down in October when cannabis plants worth up to £600,000 were found growing upstairs.

And they set their heart on creating a live music venue, called the Iron Road Bar, that within two years would attract acts from over seas.

Since taking the reigns Mr Watson and Ms Heritage have achieved their goal in about five months and have revamped the pub inside and out at the same time.

"It looked very run down when we arrived and it has for a few years," said Mr Watson, who is known as Muttley. "This is the first real investment the place has had for the past 15 years."

The pub, which is at the gateway to Evesham town centre, is now fully updated on the outside and much of the work has also been completed inside the building.

And the music venue will be packed in the coming weeks.

"We have a band from Seattle, Fox and the Law, in September and another from Australia," said Mr Watson. "To be honest we never thought it our wildest dreams that it would go how it has.

"What we are doing now is bringing tourism into Evesham.

"On Saturday we have the Doors Alive playing. Three weeks ago they were on a stage to thousands at a sold out show in Chile, so it's a really big thing for them to be here.

"They don't play venues like this. We went to see them a few years ago and got talking to them in the morning at the hotel, so we called them and this was their only free weekend.

"And on September 11 we have AUG from New Jersey and we are going to try and do something for the 9/11 foundation."

For tickets to see the Doors Alive visit wegottickets.com.