PLANS to revive a landmark pub and hotel have received support from residents at a public exhibition.

The Royal Foresters on London Road, Ascot, is subject to a planned revamp by new owners Oakman Inns and Restaurants.

The leaseholders were delighted with the response of visitors to an exhibition of the proposed plans for the site and declared it 'a brilliant opportunity for us to incorporate what the public want to see from their local.'

At present, the Bracknell Forest Council planning department is currently considering the application and is due to determine it on July 24.

The exhibition was open to the public and allowed local residents the chance to see scale models and the architects’ proposals and plans, with Oakman receiving almost 150 response forms of which nearly 80% were positive and 94% were positive or neutral.

Malcolm Schooling, Oakman Inns' Property Director, said: “In design terms, many of the public’s comments were already encompassed within the draft plans, such as the community’s hopes for landscaping and additional tree planting, and there were also many calls for the preservation of the famous Wisteria which I’m delighted to confirm will be cared for throughout the works and then retrained over the front entrance as before.”

If granted, the total works will cost £5.2m producing a first-class hospitality hub for the Ascot area. The application shows that the entrance would lead customers into the original bar area which would be refurbished as a traditional pub with a new bar counter and levelled floors throughout, allowing for better accessibility.

Wrapping around the east side, the restaurant area would have views through the new glazed extension onto an elegantly landscaped outside terrace with seating for up to 80.

A theatre-style open kitchen, a hallmark across the Oakman Collection, is intended to add an animated backdrop to the restaurant and incorporate two key pieces of kitchen equipment: a charcoal-fuelled Josper oven grill and a traditional stone-floored wood-burning pizza oven. This specialist equipment allows chefs to produce consistent and delicious hand-made dishes from their highly regarded Mediterranean-inspired menu.

Peter Borg-Neal, CEO of Oakman Inns, added: “I think it would be a sad day for Ascot, and a dreadful day for our business, if the plans are not supported. Having said that we have been treated in a professional and sensible fashion by the authorities throughout the course of this application and I am cautiously optimistic.”

"I had the privilege of meeting some of the visitors at our exhibition, and one of them suggested that we should also include a car charging point for electric cars in the car park. It might not appear the biggest detail in a total investment, but its only when you engage with the public that you get that important detailed feedback.

"We want each of our pubs to be great places that give our customers a great time, with great food, great drink and a great welcome – and we all believe in making each moment spent with us a little bit special. We like to think we have made a huge effort to put together a proposal that will encourage Bracknell Forest Council to support our plans to restore this wonderful pub for the local community.