BBC Masterchef finalist to open restaurant in Wickham hotel

Greg Emmerson will open Table 22 at the Old House Hotel as part of a £250,000 revamp for the venue under new owners GA Gourmet Ltd.

Owner Andy Goodson said: '˜I ran a successful property business for 23 years and was looking for a new venture, so when the opportunity arose to take over Old House Hotel in Wickham Square I wanted to grab it with both hands. 

'˜I'll be partnering with my daughter Gemma Goodson, a Wickham local, and culinary expert Greg Emmerson to run the business. 

'˜Our goal is to make it the most popular hotel in the area coupled with a superb fine dining restaurant.'

B+B Wickham Ltd, represented by international real estate advisor Savills, has sold the leasehold of the Grade II* listed period property for an undisclosed sum.

 The restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner to both residents and non-residents, while the 12-bedroom hotel will be operated under its former name of The Old House Hotel. 

Chris Bickle, licensed leisure director at Savills, said: '˜There is strong demand for quality rooms and good food in this area of Hampshire, with the South Downs National Park on its doorstep and Southampton, Portsmouth and Winchester nearby. 

'˜Old House Hotel has all the ingredients in place to deliver on both counts under its new ownership.'

B+B Wickham Ltd operates four other bed and breakfast businesses and restaurants in London, Weymouth, York and Edinburgh under the B+B collection.

 The Wickham property has been sold to enable the group to focus on its existing estate and to acquire larger opportunities nationally.