THE OPENING of a Hampshire pub has been delayed until 2018 to undergo a six-figure refurbishment.

The Lapstone, in Horton Heath, had been purchased by Chandler’s Ford-based drink suppliers Thirstee Business, and the company is now investing ‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’ in the facility.

They had hoped to open the doors this month, but after beginning to strip the pub’s interiors, say that the process is going to take longer than first anticipated.

Having had its doors closed since March, the pub had been the subject of a community battle as it was successfully listed as an asset of community value with Eastleigh Borough Council – the first pub to be given this status in the borough.

This gave the 150-strong community group six months to raise funds to purchase the pub or for rivals to come in and guarantee its future.The Chandler’s Ford business came in with a bid of just under £400,000.

Alick Leech, operations manager, said: “It is going to take a bit longer than we realised, but we want it to open at the highest standard.

“We figured as we have it closed now, it would be best to fix it up rather than open it and then shut it again soon after.

“It will take time, but it will all be worth it and then we can welcome everyone for a drink in the new year.