PUB owners are refuting claims that their business has closed after news of it hitting the market went viral last week.

Elaine and Steve Mancini, are strongly insisting their pub, The Hare and Hounds, is not shutting.

Mrs Mancini is “fuming” after news of their Charlton Down pub being put up for sale went up on social media, causing it to “literally go everywhere”.

The Longparish resident said she has been fielding comments from concerned customers who believed the pub to be closing.

But the 64-year-old says the pub has already been on the market for about a year, ahead of the couple’s retirement in two years.

She said: “We’ve got a fantastic businesses here and we love it - our staff are fantastic.

“We’ve been in the business for 40 years and it’s our last hurrah.

“Nothing’s going to change, nothing has changed and we’re not going anywhere for at least two years.”

In fact the couple added they are still investing in the pub and have just taken on a new South African manager.

The pair have owned the pub for 10 years and were tenant landlords of The Cricketers Inn, Longparish for 12 years until they gave it up nearly four years ago. They said the reason the pub has been put up for sale now is that it takes a while to change hands.

It comes as another local pub, The George Inn, in Vernham Dean, announced it has just been sold for more than its original guide price of £595,000.

Sold through specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, the two storey inn, which dates back to the 17th century, offers traditional period features and comprises a bar, snug, side bar, restaurant and accommodation.

The pub won the Fullers Hampshire Village Pub of the Year 2012 “Pub is the Hub” and is four times winner of the Hampshire Hospitality Award.

Former owners, Nicky and James Haigh, have left the business in the hands of its new bosses Reece and Henrietta Garner.

Richard Wood, from Christie & Co, said: “This is another good example of a funded transaction illustrating the renewed appetite from banks to support licensed businesses throughout the South. We are delighted to have facilitated the sale to Reece and Henrietta Garner.”