Nicola Storey has taken over the once troubled Mustard Pot, which has been closed for around nine months, and its re-launch has been perfectly timed to coincide with the popular Chapel Allerton Arts Festival this weekend.

The 28-year-old, now dubbed Lady Mustard by her pals, said the locals seemed almost as excited as her about its return.

Nicola, who ran Franks bar on New Briggate in Leeds city centre for more than two years and has been in the industry since she was 17, said: "There was a gap in the market for a nice old pub with good food – somewhere me and my friends, and I think a lot of people, want to go to rather than trendy bars."

She added: "People have been walking up all the time, wanting to come in.

"From people's reactions so far, it feels really right."

She said it needed a new kitchen but other than that just a lick of paint, new furniture and a garden overhaul. It was once an imposing family home, with parts of the building dating back as far as 1635. And it is thought the family that owned it had connections to the Colman family of Reckitt and Colman fame, so when it was converted into a pub, the Mustard Pot was an obvious name.

Since then it has been through various incarnations, from a popular family haunt to a gambling machines hotspot, which saw off the couples and children and attracted a mainly male clientele who sometimes got out of control.

It was refurbished a couple of years ago as more of an upmarket restaurant and now Nicola, who lives in Oakwood, Leeds, wants to return it to its origins as a pub serving delicious meals.

She hopes it will soon be "thriving and known for really good quality food and service and a place where you can hang out and feel comfortable there all day."

Head chef is Marc Thomas, formerly of Angels Share, also in Chapel Allerton, and more recently from Noode, Dock Street, Leeds city centre.