The new owners of a celebrity-backed pub are confident it will become a "hub for the community" as they set out plans for its reopening later this month.

It was revealed last Thursday that a three-year lease had been secured for the Heathcote Arms, in Grove Green Road, Leytonstone.

In September, developer Equity Estates bought the pub, prompting a campaign to keep it as a public house, gaining the support of singer Damon Albarn and comedians Alan Davies and Sean Hughes.

The Guardian met with new leaseholder Jason Verdi and landlord Charrisse Kent at the pub yesterday, which is listed as an Asset of Community Value.

Their priority is to get the pub open for the opening party on February 28, when the public, with a free drink, can ask questions about their plans.

The duo admitted that the short notice meant the decor will remain the same and there would be little change to the drinks available in the first few weeks.

But Ms Kent said she would look into buying beer and real ale from local breweries when the pub is up and running.

The main change will be the emphasis on food with full-time catering staff due to cook a revamped menu of gourmet burgers, fish and chips, sirloin steak and Sunday roasts.

Live music will also become part of the weekend scene with local singers set to showcase their talent on Friday nights and a band night on Saturdays.

Equity Estates will be keeping the upstairs function room, which was previously used for community events, and the pair admitted they did not know the intentions the developer had for it.

Ms Kent, 45, of Norman Road, has worked in pubs since she was 19-years-old and has spent time as landlord of Lord Brooke in Leytonstone and Lord Raglen and Queen Victoria in Walthamstow.

She said: “The main issue was that the pub had a bad reputation and this was reflected in the fact the wrong crowd was in here.

“It is a fresh start and we will be implementing a strict no drugs policy, taking out the pool table and employing door staff.

“We want a family-feel in here so if anyone is causing a problem they will be asked to leave.”

Mr Verdi, 42, of Fairlop Road, said the community had to back the pub in order for it to remain.

He said “We are Leytonstone born and bred and we want it to be a hub for the community here.

“It closed down last year because it was not commercially viable, if the pub makes money then it will stay here forever and the plan is for me to be here for another 20 years.”