A new watering hole has opened its doors in Penarth, replacing the Office (Old RAFA club) under the fitting name of Pier and Piano.

Nub News visited Kyle, who has taken over the business, to see the changes and discuss his new venture.

He said: ''We took over just before COVID kicked in and we opened for the first time yesterday.

"I worked here under the previous owner when it was the Office. I've been working in pubs since I was eighteen but I always wanted to run one and this came up and I got straight on it.

The opening night comes as coronavirus restrictions have started to ease in Wales and so customers were able to get a full look at the renovated interior.

Kyle said: ''Opening night went really well. We have very little presence on social media but people said they had noticed the signs and came to stop by as well as regulars returning. It didn't take long to be at maximum capacity."

The inside has been completely renovated as well as a new decking installed at the front and plans for a new garden in the works too.

"The garden is a sun trap and it's big but needs doing up a bit. I have lots of ideas for the outdoors but wanted to take it step by step.

"It has been 14 weeks of work with me and my dad getting it all set up and sorted."

Kyle really wants to keep this pub traditional and hopes it will still appeal to all the customers that came before.

A vintage microphone is stationed next to the Piano, in keeping with the new name of the venue.

There will be entertainment when everything is up and running with live music at the front of the premises.

"I wanted it to be traditional, somewhere people can come and enjoy. The aim is to be a place people can enjoy but also we really don't want people coming in and getting carried away. It is a classic, community pub."

There is not currently a kitchen in the pub but there are bar snacks and drinks available.

Kyle explained: ''Safety is really important to nail down first, especially given the circumstances. We will look at expanding services when that's all been firmed up."

The capacity allows for forty people inside with the current restrictions in place and they have installed a card payment for the first time in the venue's history.

The venture has also resulted in the employment of 7-8 members of staff.

The history of the building is very important to Kyle and he wants to bring that out in the interior of the pub.

"There's a long history to this building. Originally, it was two nice houses before it became the Cons club, then the RAFA club and the Office.

"There is a strong association here, and in Penarth more generally, with the Dambusters and as a traditional pub we want to remember the history. We found all these pictures and photos and we want to hang them around on the walls for locals to enjoy.

Opening in the challenging coronavirus environment is hard for any business but Kyle has not allowed this to get in his way.

He said: ''At our opening, we had six people queuing just one minute after opening and did well with sales for our first day."

The Pier and Piano is situated on Windsor Road next to the old Blockbuster building.

For now it will be open for now from 3 pm - 11 pm on weekdays and 12-12 on weekends but when it is all completed it will be open from 12 -11 weekdays and 12-12 on weekends.