New landlord of Fareham pub bids to host VE Day funfair

Peter Slinger, 44, has taken over the lease of The Fareham pub, in Trinity Street, after previous landlord Martin Munns moved on to manage a Weymouth hotel in March.

The new landlord is already looking to the future –applying to host a Victory in Europe event next year, featuring a funfair in the car park.

He said: ‘Hopefully we will hear back very soon. The licensing committee said should not be a problem.

‘It’s not guaranteed – but we’re really looking forward to it.

‘On the day we will be raising money for SSAFA and other military charities.’

Pete, who spent four years as a chef in the Royal Navy, was landlord of The Wicor Mill, Portchester, from March last year before taking over The Fareham.

He said: ‘I came out of the pub business for 10 years because there was massive dip in the trade.

‘Now we are getting more help now with rates and costs.

‘This year the government will give us a third off our business rate, which is a massive help to us.

‘Things have changed and people are listening in terms of how they can help their local pub.’

The pub opened a new kitchen this Sunday, with Pete back behind the grills.

He said: ‘It's just me in the kitchen

‘We're looking to cook all the home cooked pub classics – curries, burgers, scampi and chips, Sunday Roasts.’

The pub hosts free live music every Saturday.