Life at The Hoeford is on the up thanks to landlord Chris

But now The Hoeford Inn is back in business – and new landlord Chris Wood hopes to make a big difference.

Chris aims to turn The Hoeford in Gosport Road, Fareham, back into a traditional pub.

He’s planning a range of events, including regular quiz nights, live music, sport screenings and ticketed evenings such as a Ladies’ Night.

The pub was shut for around four weeks prior to Chris taking over. It was then cleaned up and freshened up ready for the public.

Chris said: ‘We didn’t need a lot of refurbishment, it’s just needed things being added, like more screens for the showing of live sports’.

Chris admits that it’s taken a bit of time for people to notice the difference.

He said: ‘It started off slow, but now people have realised it’s open, we are getting more and more people in.

‘We want to be a pub where everyone is welcome and I feel that when you do events that are ticketed, sometimes it can keep people from coming in.’

The first band performed on March 12.

Peer Pressure played to customers and there was no entry fee.

Chris said: ‘We are looking at getting more booked in’.

With the help of Enterprise Inns, Chris will be running The Hoeford along with his strong team.

‘We’ve got a full team, but as business progresses and gets busier, we will be looking for more team members,’ he said.

‘A lot of the entertainment is going to be on the basis of free entry.’

That will include free pool nights and starting darts teams.

He said: ‘It’s nice to be able to go to a pub where families are welcome.’

The Hoeford Inn has plans to hold fun days on bank 
holidays, which will take place in the garden and children’s area.

The community pub has also retained its name.

‘It’s still going to be the Hoeford Inn.

‘There’s no plan to change the name – it’s a name that works, why change it?,’ Chris said.

Food is available and there is a ‘two meals for £10 deal’ on selected items.

Chris said: ‘We are looking at getting a carvery counter in the future for Sunday lunches’.

The first Ladies’ Night – an evening with entertainment specifically for female customers – takes place on Sunday, March 27.

To keep up to date with the Hoeford Inn, visit facebook.com/sq1fareham/?fref=ts

EMILY REASON