Entrepreneur steps in to reopen pubs

The 48-year-old has taken over The Invincible in Wickham Street, Portsea, and the Old House at Home in Locksway Road, Milton.

The pubs closed suddenly earlier this month when the previous landlord Steve Lant when bust, citing a number of reasons such as failing to renegotiate a new tenancy and problems with the energy and beer supplier.

Now, Mr Hudson has taken over the pubs, which are owned by Enterprise Inns, and the The Invincible reopened last Friday and the Old House at Home reopened on Thursday, much to the relief of regulars and locals.

Mr Hudson said: ‘We want to launch a food menu at both venues and get them back buzzing again.’

All four staff at The Invincible have been reemployed by Mr Hudson and he has also offered the 12 staff members at the Old House at Home the chance to keep their jobs.

Mr Hudson has a long history in bars and clubs, starting as a glass collector and working his way up. He opened Liquid and Envy nightclub, in Stanhope Road in Portsmouth, but took voluntary redundancy four years ago to start running his own pubs.

He used to own Drift in Southsea, but now owns the Shepherd’s Crook, the Milton Arms and the Wicor Mill in Portchester, which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and is due to open on May 6.

The Invincible had recently undergone a refurbishment and Mr Hudson said it was in ‘great condition.’

Mr Hudson, from Southsea, said: ‘It is a lovely pub but we want to do more food and appeal to local community as well as the people coming to visit the dockyard.

‘We will be delivering good value for money food that will reflect the city’s naval tradition.’

He also plans to launch a food menu at the Old House at Home and he has renovation plans, which will see the pub shut temporarily next week.

However, Mr Hudson urged people to use their local pubs.

He said: ‘It’s important to get down and support 
your local, wherever that maybe.’