A HAMPSHIRE pub has gone from being empty and unwanted to an award winner - in just 18 months.

The Rockstone pub in Bevois Valley, Southampton, has beaten off competition from hundreds of other entries to scoop the Best Cask Beer Pub in the Great British Pub Awards 2013 South-East and London region.

Now it is in line to be named the country’s best watering hole.

Yet the Onslow Road pub, formerly known as the Bevois Castle, stood empty for more than a year before owner Max Greenwood, 33, stepped in to take it over.

Even then he faced a battle to re-open as police and city council environmental health officers raised concerns that it could cause an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Having spent more than £600,000 buying and renovating it Max was not giving up without a fight and was granted a licence after he was backed by a petition signed by more than 600 people.

His plan was to make The Rockstone “a country pub in the city” and his idea seems to have come together.

Speaking about the early days Max said there were a few doubters.

He said: “When we started everyone told me it was a horrible area to have a pub. Back then it was a terrible economic climate.

“But I thought there’s a niche where you can create an interesting place where people can have a good drink and meet up without loud music.”

Already this year the pub has gone from strength to strength with Max revealing trade had quadrupled since last year and he had sold an amazing 11,400 burgers since January.

A delighted Max, a trained chef who runs the pub with his wife Aimee, said: “It would be great to be crowned best pub in Britain.

“Everyone thinks that we deserve it. It is less about the pub, it is nice that Southampton is recognised. We want to be the best pub in Southampton, chosen by the residents, neighbours and our locals. It would be great for trade and great to have this award up on our wall.”

Max, who previously ran the St James Tavern in Winchester, will find out if the pub is crowned the best watering hole in Britain at a glamorous awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in London on September 12.