Historic pub The Hunters Inn in Swanmore set to reopen after buyer is found

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A PUB which is more than 300 years old could soon reopen, as development work begins on-site.

The Hunters Inn in Cott Street, Swanmore, closed in June last year after a steady decline in the number of customers. Former owner Heartstone Inns said it had become ‘uneconomic’ to operate.

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Since then, the building has laid dormant on the property market for £750,000.

According to a source close to the pub, the venue has been purchased by a local private buyer, with plans to reopen in due course.

The Hunters Inn, Swanmore 
Picture: Habibur RahmanThe Hunters Inn, Swanmore 
Picture: Habibur Rahman
The Hunters Inn, Swanmore Picture: Habibur Rahman | JPIMedia

The news has been met with excitement, following the shock of losing such an historic building nine months ago.

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Historic pub The Hunters Inn in Swanmore on the market for £750,000

Councillor Frank Pearson, who lives in Swanmore, says the community was devastated when the pub closed.

He said: ‘People were very surprised when the pub actually closed down.

The Hunters Inn
Picture: Habibur RahmanThe Hunters Inn
Picture: Habibur Rahman
The Hunters Inn Picture: Habibur Rahman | JPIMedia

‘But now the fencing and concrete blocks that the estate agent put around the site have been removed and there has been some activity on the site, which seems to indicate it could be reopening.

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‘This is good news for the village – it’s a very popular pub both with people in Swanmore and those further afield.

‘Personally, I’m absolutely delighted about it.’

Cllr Pearson says that the building was beginning to look ‘tired' when the decision was made to shut down.

He hopes the new buyer will put a significant investment into the building to get it up to scratch.

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‘Whoever the buyer is, they’ve certainly taken the sensible approach by keeping it as a pub,’ he said.

‘It’s a well-liked venue with a good picnic area and children's playground – and the large parking area too.

‘As a pub, I would think it needs a fair amount of investment; I think it would need at least £500,000 for a proper refurbishment.’

Best known for its parties in the 1960s and 70s, the pub would have sailors visit en masse, travelling by coach to go and have their fun.

Property company Savills has been handling the sale process.

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