The Royal Oak in Marlow has confirmed that they will reopen their doors on Wednesday, July 8 – 10 months after a devastating fire destroyed the pub.

In an exclusive interview with the pub’s landlady Becky Salisbury, who owns the Frieth Road venue with her husband David, she told the Free Press that she is feeling ‘happy and a bit scared’, following nearly a year of ‘hard work’.

READ MORE: The Royal Oak, Marlow, on fire - residents urged to keep away

The pub had aimed to re-open in May of this year but due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which saw the whole country enter a three-month period of lockdown, this was delayed.

But after months of planning and preparations, the Royal Oak doors will reopen on July 8 for drinks, with food being served a day later on July 9.

Mrs Salisbury told the Free Press: “It is a brilliant pub.

“It has got some real legs to it and that’s the biggest thing - for it to be able to re-open for our lovely customers, our regulars and our Marlow locals.

“We have been working really hard.

“Hopefully, they will see that the ethos is still fully intact regardless of the restrictions of how we trade.

“There is a little bit of us that does think, ‘have we got it right?’ as we have got regulars who have been coming to us for 20 years and it really does matter to us what they think.

“So, I am happy and a bit scared!

READ MORE: Landlord of Marlow's Royal Oak pub speaks out following major fire

“We’ve also had no revenue for nearly 10 months.

“Our business is on a knife edge, but we don’t give up easily.

“And that’s why we’re still in business 20 years down the line.”

More than 40 firefighters from across the South East attended the pub when it caught fire on the evening of Sunday, September 15, 2019, with the husband and wife team revealing they had never experienced an incident of this nature in their time owning the Royal Oak.

READ MORE: Marlow's Royal Oak pub to reopen in May 2020

But Becky, as seen for the last 10 months, is looking to the future.

And with the opening just days away, she hopes those who regularly attended the pub will return, as she confirmed that their popular dish of Bubble and Squeak is still on the menu.

She continued: “We’re very nervous because no-one has ever opened a pub under Covid guidelines and restrictions.

“So we’re working really hard to make sure that we cover every base and that we do it well.”

The award-winning pub was named best for dining in the Good Pub Guide 2019 - the sixth time it has been recognised by the prestigious industry guide.