THE managers of a pub with a bad reputation have barred more than 100 customers in six months in their fight to turn it around.

Toby Cooper, 29, and Spencer Vincent, 25, took over the Kings Arms Pub in Castle Street, Trowbridge, in May and have had their work cut out.

Mr Vincent said: "The Kings Arms has a very bad reputation in town, and for good reason. We have struggled and accomplished our goal at making this a nice and comfortable public house for customers to enjoy."

The pair said they are now operating a zero tolerance policy towards violence, drugs and underage drinking and have barred anyone who didn't want to abide by their rules.

Mr Cooper said: "We have barred a hell of a lot of people. We didn't come in guns blazing, we gave each person a chance to behave themselves in a way that was acceptable and if not they had to go. A lot of them effectively barred themselves."

The Kings Arms has long had a reputation for violence, drugs and underage drinkers and has been a no-go zone for many people in the county town.

Now the managers hope once people realise the changes in the pub it will attract a new sort of customer.

Mr Cooper said: "Drugs were rife and underage drinking and we have put a stop to all that. People were upset because they say this has been their local since they were 15 but they were using and abusing it and that is not acceptable. Now people can feel safe to come in here. Even our staff feel happier and safer working here."

Many people in the town still remember a brutal assault in the pub in 2004 in which three men attacked 28-year-old Dean Peverley, leaving him needing life-saving surgery. The assailants were jailed for a combined total of 23 years.

Mr Cooper and Mr Vincent, who have worked in London and Bristol before coming to Trowbridge, have now got rid of the pool table, which they found was the focus of many arguments, as well as the dartboard.

"It got very competitive and people tended to congregate in that area. It just seemed like the logical next step to us."

They have redecorated, opened up the fireplace and will soon be installing new comfortable sofas.

Curry nights have been brought in on Wednesdays and Sunday is karaoke night.

Food is being served at lunchtimes and the couple hope to hold regular music nights as well as charity events, the next being a race night on behalf of charity Children's Wish, to be held on December 19.