The Cross Keys, a landmark Nottingham pub, has re-opened after being bought by local operators Great Northern Inns.

The pub, which lies at the top of Byard Lane and overlooks Weekday Cross, has been refurbished and brought back to its former glory.

Great Northern Inns acquired the pub from Enterprise Inns Limited.   Peter Noble of heb acted for the vendor.

He said: "It is fantastic to see such a prominent public house in Nottingham city centre remain as a public house. This building is steeped in character and it is great to see a traditional free house in this location.

"Great Northern Inns is an exception operator, and already runs a number of successful and unique outlets in Greater Nottingham such as The Southbank, The Monkey Tree, The Approach and Copper. They are ideal custodians of such a significant building and I am sure the Cross Keys will remain a landmark Public House for Nottingham".

The current building is thought to be mid to late Victorian with original windows and features. It is believed that a pub has operated on the site for more than 200 years. The first mention of The Cross Keys is in The Poor Rate Book in 1799.

Always a landmark pub, it is situated in the historic Weekday Cross which was the original market place for Nottingham - the centre of the city's council, police and law courts up until the late 19th century.

Dave Willans of Great Northern Inns said: "We are delighted to have acquired this historically important public house which we are running as an iconic English hostelry focussing on traditional ales and food."