Bristol architect George Ferguson took an enormous leap of faith when he bought The Barley Mow in 2008.
Tucked away in the backstreets of The Dings, it had ceased trading and its future as a pub uncertain.
Ferguson, who also owns Ashton's Bristol Beer Factory, spotted the potential of the pub, which dates back to 1828, and set about restoring it to its former glory and his faith in the project paid off.
Four years on and The Barley Mow is one of the best community pubs in Bristol and its close proximity to Temple Meads makes it a welcome stop for thirsty travellers.
A handsome double-fronted pub with a painted brick facade, many of the features inside have been restored and salvaged, including original wooden floorboards, brick fireplaces and two real ale handpumps dating from 1936.
The original features are complemented by bottle green tongue-and-groove panels and plenty of old black-and-white photos of the pub in the day when it was called The Duke of York.
The pub even has old-fashioned, half-frosted front windows, albeit with the brewery's distinctive logo of a pint glass topped with the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
The full range of Bristol Beer Factory beers is available, but guest ales are often on rotation. On the night I visited, there was the strong and golden Sunburst from the award-winning Dark Star brewery of Horsham in West Sussex.
The pub serves a small menu of popular bar dishes such as burgers, chilli con carne and a beef, Bristol ale and mushroom pie. Booking is recommended for the busy Thursday steak nights.
On warmer evenings, the small courtyard is an additional draw at this rejuvenated pub, which feels both timeless and contemporary. If only there were more pubs like it.
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