Wickham pub shuts its doors due to 'lack of trade'

The Roebuck Inn in Wickham has closed with the team stating that the business was ‘not sustainable’.

A post on the restaurant’s Facebook read: ‘It is with great regret that The Roebuck Inn has ceased trading. Unfortunately, the lack of trade has left us with no choice but to close the doors for the last time.

‘We tried our best to keep the doors open for as long as possible but unfortunately this was not sustainable.

‘Any and all bookings/reservations are being contacted to inform them of this.

‘We would like to thank all of our regular customers for their support and wish them all the best for the future.’

Nearby pubs, Hunters Inn in Swanmore and The Hurdles in Droxford, both closed in the last two years due to lack of trade.

The Hunters Inn in Cott Street was closed by owner Heartstone Inns in June 2019, having previously traded for hundreds of years.

Well 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.

The site itself is more than 300 years old and concerns were raised about what would happen to the building moving forward.

The News have contacted The Roebuck Inn for comment.