When The Pilot Inn was closed towards the end of last year, many people were left bereft at the loss of Hardwicke's only pub.
The former management of the pub left in October, leaving some regulars fearing the end for a gem of a pub which has been welcoming boat people for more than a century.
But this month the pub has been brought back to life by cafe owners Mitch Workman and Carla Mason, who have joined forces with builder Darrel Turner and farrier Neil Turner.
They are operating under the name Watermarked Ltd, and the group is hoping to build on their success with The Ship Inn in Saul and give The Pilot Inn the reputation it deserves.
New pub general manager Tanya Price has special memories of the pub when she was growing up in the area, and is now on a mission to give Hardwicke the pub it deserves.
She said: "The locals have been so glad to have The Pilot back. We have a good pub and we want it to be a success. There's no reason why it shouldn't be.
"It's been brilliant since we've opened and we've had a steady flow of people coming for a drink.
"So many people who have seen us have said how happy they are for the Pilot to be back. They want it to do well."
The pub, which has been standing since 1856, lies off the beaten track on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal but has been well used by its surrounding community.
Throughout its history it has kept alive a long tradition of pubs along the nation's waterways, and has been popular with boatsmen, locals and country ramblers.
The centrepiece of the Pilot Inn is undoubtedly its garden, which boasts beautiful views across the canal in the summer where punters at 55 tables can sit back and watch the boats come past the nearby Sellars Bridge.
Inside is a traditional British pub with a host of historical gems. The last orders bell came from a ship which had sailed on the Suez Canal 50 years ago.
Tanya and her team have big plans to restore The Pilot Inn's place in the heart of Hardwicke.
Live music and entertainment will begin on January 30 and The Pilot is also looking to hold regular quiz nights. It will also hold events to mark special occasions such as the Rugby World Cup.
The Pilot will resume its food offerings again in March when they will offer traditional pub grub and a special menu.
Tanya said: "I grew up in Quedgeley and I have lots of memories of the pub as a kid. I remember spending time in the garden and party nights when I got older, and fireworks on special occasions.
"We've not had the fireworks for a long time, so we want to recapture that for everyone else.
"The Pilot is in a special part of Hardwicke and Quedgeley."
