A pub in Shirley has rebranded with a new name and fresh exterior, with customers hailing the change as “amazing.”

The Dog and Duck, in Shirley Road, had been called The Pig ‘n' Whistle for more than 30 years but last month landlady Ewelina Fesnak made the decision to rename the pub and launch a new chapter in its history.

Ewelina took over the pub in 2021 and has been determined to put her own stamp on Shirley and serve customers from far and wide.

Speaking to the Echo, Ewelina said: “It’s not a small decision to change the name of a pub but we’d been thinking about it for a little while and we wanted to give it a traditional name.

“One night it just came to me, The Dog and Duck, it just felt like a nice and fun name that people could associate with us, and we’re excited to begin this new chapter in the pub’s history.

“Fortunately, the feedback from customers has been positive and we’ve had people come in and tell us it’s amazing, which is wonderful to hear.”

READ MORE: The Crown Inn at Highfield pub with 'stupidly cheap' prices

Inside The Dog and DuckInside The Dog and Duck (Image: Supplied) The Dog and Duck serves both English and Polish food and serves as a hub in the community for many regulars, as well as a loyal group of pub-goers who travel from the likes of Bournemouth and Poole to enjoy the establishment’s Sunday roasts.

“Regularly our Sunday roasts sell out and they’re very popular,” said Ewelina.

“We serve all meats, including duck, and everything here is homemade and when the weather is hot people are able to sit outside in the garden and have a great time.”

The pub is showing Lionesses matches over the summer, with The Dog and Duck regularly fully booked for functions on weekends, where people enjoy birthday and wedding parties.

Ewelina became landlady of the pub in December 2021, having moved to the UK from Poland in 2015, working her way up to gain experience as a barmaid and manager before her “dream came true” to run her own pub.

She added: “The community here in Shirley is amazing and we see many of the same people on a daily and weekly basis.

“We’re on the end of Shirley Road where it’s nice and relaxed and to sit here now you’d never know we’re next to a main road.

“We want to put our stamp on Shirley and serve the community and do everything we can to be a source for good in the area.”