New owner at The White Hart

The Hamstead Marshall pub has recently been taken over by Stella Coulthurst

THE new owner of the White Hart Inn in Hamstead Marshall is hoping to return it to being a traditional, top quality British pub.

Stella Coulthurst, who has lived in the Wiltshire and Berkshire area for about 20 years, recently took over at the centuries-old village pub, which has been closed since last May, leaving villagers with a sizeable trek to the nearest pub, the Craven Arms in Enborne.

However, Ms Coulthurst, who has not owned a pub before but describes herself as an experienced businesswoman, said she hoped to restore the White Hart's reputation as a welcoming and traditional country inn, offering good food, good drink and a comfortable room for the night.

She said: “It is a lovely village and a lovely setting. It has got that nice feel and I hope we will do it justice.

“I know the pub has had its ups and downs but hopefully we can bring it back to life and provide that community hub.”

Ms Coulthurst added that there was a lot of work to do to get the pub ready for opening, although she said she hoped it would be ready for opening around mid-July, when she said the pub would host a welcome night for Hamstead Marshall villagers prior to a formal opening to the public.