OVERTON is set to have its Hart back in the village.
The news follows the announcement by Hampshire's Upham Brewers' plans to re-open the popular White Hart pub – and restore it to its “former glory” as the village’s old coaching inn.
Providing planning permission is granted, the brewers plan to recreate the White Hart’s historic wooden features, re-design the upstairs area into bedrooms and fit a new kitchen in order to serve a wide variety of food.
The pub, located at the heart of Overton on London Road, was closed down last year by previous owners the Wellington Pub Company, who claimed it was unprofitable.
But Upham Brewers has recently exchanged freehold contracts with the firm and it is hoped that builders can kick-start the renovations before the end of the year.
Upham’s chief executive, Chris Phillips, who is heavily involved in the new designs for the wateringhole, said: “This is a very exciting project for us.
“We are hoping to bring this building back to its former glory.
For example there are some wonderful wooden floorboards in there which we want to put back to how they originally looked.
“What we are really hoping for is that when people walk in they will think that it’s been like this for 100 years.
“It really will be absolutely fabulous.”
The Hampshire-based brewers currently run ten pubs across the south of England including the Running Horse in Littleton and the Bunk Inn at Curridge.
But Mr Phillips is particularly excited about adding to that portfolio in Overton.
He added: “Everyone is showing a huge amount of excitement about it.
“We are just as excited to be joining the community of Overton and getting involved in what’s going on in the village.”
Upham is now targeting an opening date of April 2015.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here