The owner of Cumnock's newest pub has thanked the locals for their support as they opened their doors at the weekend.

New landlords of The Victoria Inn on The Square, Sean Conaghan from Ardrossan, and his fiancée Paige Kennedy, from Stevenston, welcomed punters into the newly-refurbished pub for the first time on Saturday.

Having taken ownership a few weeks back and putting in the work to get it ready, Sean was eager to jump into the new venture.

READ MORE: Look inside upgraded Cumnock pub as owners prepare to open

After weeks of hard graft and with help from friend Jamie Burns and others along the way, the couple reopened the pub on Saturday, October 14.

Sean, who has a background in hospitality, hopes that the premises can become a place people call their local. 

Thrilled about how the weekend went, Sean said: "We hit the ground running on Saturday afternoon and brought something back to Cumnock.

"With Cameron King singing it brought a great atmosphere to an amazing wee community pub.

Cumnock Chronicle:

"We are working on our weekly entertainment schedule and look to bring this out this week at some point with karaoke and quiz nights on the cards.

"Paige and I both loved the first weekend with our team and look forward to an exciting future.

"We will also be arranging party nights for Christmas and these will also be advertised soon.

"We would both like to thank the Cumnock community for giving us such a warm welcome".

For the time being, the pub's name is set to remain The Victoria Inn.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Sean said that the opening in the first 'phase' in the renovation, with other plans for the future including potential collaborations with food establishments in the area.

He added: "I think it's a pub with so much potential and it's in a great bit with food place and stuff not far away.

"We want to change the perception of the pub, but we know what might take time and I'm sure we can do that.

"We want it to be a place that people come in and feel comfortable with and want to come back.

"Me and Paige will be behind the bar most of the time, so that helps to create a friendly atmosphere and lets people recognise a friendly face when they come."

Cumnock Chronicle: Friend Jamie Burns has helped out. Friend Jamie Burns has helped out. (Image: NQ Archive)

The team are also looking at taking on donations to help out friend and charity hero, Michael Kirkum.

Michael is looking to collect selection boxes, colouring books and crayons, soft toys, board games, baby toys and story books for those under five.

These will be collected and donated to the children in Crosshouse Hospital over the Christmas period.

All donations can be made to the pub and the team will make sure they get these to Michael.