IT HAS gone from strength to strength since its £210,000 revamp three years ago.

Now, a new management team is in place to continue the growth of the Phoenix, which is quickly becoming the place to go in Romsey.

The former Tavern Inn is the largest pub in the market town, and one of the only to be open from 9am for breakfast.

New venue manager Hannah Bradbury says the vision of the pub is to bring food to the forefront of what it does.

"My boss bought the place nine weeks ago and brought in a new team, including new kitchen staff," she said.

"Everything is now food first and we really want to push the food side of the business.

"The Phoenix has so much potential and what we want to do is fulfil it."

Hannah added that a number of special Christmas events are also to be held at the pub, including a mini festival on Christmas Eve.

The event will have a one-off festive menu, music and drinks.

"The response since we started has also been amazing," Hannah added.

"Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. It has been great."

As well as a large indoor seating and dining area, the pub offers a garden/function room which accommodates up to 30 people which can be hired out for private functions.

A friendly pub garden is also available for those who want to spend some time outside.

Speaking about the takeover, Mark Edgerley, town centre manager for Romsey, said: "I welcome the new team at the Phoenix to Romsey; this is a great venue pub and I am pleased to see the tradition of music and events is set to continue.

"As one of our larger public houses in the town, the Phoenix provides plenty of space to meet with family and friends."

In September 2014 former owners Carol Rickman and Liz Surplice were behind the reinstatement of pub’s original name and it’s had quite a few over the years. These include Romsey Ale House, Romsey Tavern and the Phoenix Hotel along with The Phoenix. The pub at the corner of Latimer Street and The Hundred has been licensed premises for some 180 years.