THE owner of a village’s last pub, which the community had hoped to buy in fear it would be knocked down, said he is ready to finally reopen after more than a year, as soon as he finds somebody to run it.
A community scheme to buy The White Horse in Stonesfield was backed by Homeland star Rupert Friend, who grew up in the village.
Mr Friend, who plays CIA operative Peter Quinn in the hit spy TV series, was one of more than 260 people to have bought shares in the pub back in November 2020.
Read again: Homeland star Rupert Friend backs campaign to save Oxfordshire pub
Despite half a million pounds being raised from supporters across the globe, ultimately the shares initiative fell short.
Instead, Jonathan Bowers bought the pub, completing the purchase last January.
Mr Bowers, who estimates he has spent between £30-35,000 on extensive work and repairs, addressed previous fears the pub would be developed.
He said: “It’s always been my intention to reopen the pub and I’ll be delighted to get this quintessential village pub open again.
“I’ve never had any intention to develop it.
“My surveyor was quite scathing about the pub, the electrics were dangerous and it needed a lot of work.
“For the last year, I’ve been making it safe, clean and ready for someone to come in and run a very successful pub.
“Basically, I want to see a successful, thriving pub selling good food and good beer – that would give me enormous pleasure.
“We all want to see a village pub like the ones when you go on holiday to the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales – that’s what it’s about.”
Mr Bowers was unable to put a timescale on when the pub might reopen but hopes it is case of sooner rather than later.
“I don’t see any reason why someone can’t be in within a couple of months, but I can’t guarantee that,” he said.
“I want to manage people’s expectations, I’d love it to be open tomorrow but we need the right tenants – someone who realises they’re really going to have to apply themselves.
“The important thing is to get the right people in.”
The pub is being marketed by Oxford-based property consultants, Conways Commercial.
Its founder, Martin Conway, is acting as the letting agent for The White Horse.
He said: “The works are now complete, with a new boiler, electrics and double glazing, and it’s now a case of looking to find a tenant to run it as a successful pub.
“It’s just gone on the market and as far as we’re concerned, we’re eager to let as soon as someone comes about.
“The legal stuff usually takes a month or two so we’re looking at a couple of months depending on the market.
“A vibrant pub with really good beers and quality food is what everyone wants.”
For more information on the let, visit: conwayscommercial.co.uk/properties?id=911812
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