THE new landlord at Wantage’s award-winning vegetarian pub The Shoulder of Mutton has said he plans to serve “vast quantities of meat”.

Guy Ripley, 53, has taken over the reins at the Wallingford Street pub, having led successful careers as a songwriter, performer and venue manager.

He also knows The Shoulder well, having worked on the bar under both the previous landlords, Meeko Oates and Peter Fowler.

And he said he will uphold the Shoulder’s tradition of selling “proper beer”, although he will be introducing meat to the pub’s vegetarian menu.

He said: “Music, being one of my passions, will feature heavily in the future plans with an open mic night starting soon.

“Also, I will be doing food but it will involve vast quantities of meat.

“As a consideration, I might cater for those ‘funny people’ who don’t like meat, like my sister.”

Mr Ripley is a local lad, having grown up in Grove and attended Abingdon School.

After school, he became a professional singer and songwriter, releasing two albums and playing around the UK.

He moved to London and managed a Soho actor’s club called Gerry’s, and in 2006 bought The Plough in Witney High Street, and ran that with a chef partner until 2012.

For the past three years, he has mostly been focusing on his musical career.

But when he heard the tenancy was going to become available at The Shoulder he said he jumped at the opportunity.

Peter Fowler, who took on The Shoulder of Mutton in 2010, left in June to spend time with his family.

In the four-and-a-half years he was at the helm, Mr Fowler earned it numerous plaudits from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), including the titles of branch pub of the year and regional pub of the year.

He also served up exclusively vegetarian cuisine at The Shoulder of Mutton – an irony that was not missed by the town.

Locals have they are glad that someone who knows the pub and would preserve its much-loved character has taken it on.

Mr Ripley said he was grateful to the pub company Admiral for agreeing a tenancy that had no tie to buy any particular type of beer.