A HAMPSHIRE pub has scooped a major award just five months after a £500,000 refurbishment.

The Hiltonbury Farmhouse in Chandler’s Ford has been named Best Newcomer at the Hampshire Life Food and Drink Awards 2017.

The accolade comes after the pub was closed for 18 months for renovation, re-opening its doors to the public in July with 15 new jobs created.

Now, the pub has celebrated its achievement at the awards held at the Elvesham Hotel, when three finalists battled it out to be crowned the winner.

Owner Rob Preston was presented with the award on the night.

He said: “This is a huge achievement for me and my team. These awards are highly recognised by customers and ‘Best Newcomer’ will help us to attract pub lovers from all over Hampshire. I would like to thank my team who have worked incredibly hard over the last five months and deserve this recognition”.

Judges praised the Hiltonbury for it’s great décor, dedication to quality food, drink and service and consideration to the local community in its offer.

Rob initially ran a drinks company selling spirits before deciding to go into the pub industry.

“I just always wanted to do it, to go into the premium pub sector and open up a food-led gastro,” he said.

“It had gone 30 years without investment. The pub had just lost its way a little bit.”

The 16th century building, he thinks, adds to the pub’s appeal.

“I think the building is one of the oldest in Chandler’s Ford – Oliver Cromwell’s brother used it as a hunting lodge,” he said.

“We tried to keep the positive history of the building as part of the refurbishment, with memorabilia and newspaper cuttings.

“We want to deliver great food and service so they leave having had a great experience – it’s the little details that matter.”

The pub is now looking to continue its success in the future, especially with Christmas around the corner.

“We have had our brown tourist signs approved, so they will go up in four weeks,” said Rob.

“We have a classy Christmas grotto, we have really gone to town with it. We really feel we understand this time of year and want to embrace it here.”

Having just invested in a roof for their pergola in the outside area, the pub is also bringing in street food and live music for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.