A HOTEL that was ravaged with flames has begun plans to rebuild its iconic thatch roof.

The Potters Heron hotel in Ampfield reopened last week – just seven days after 170 emergency service personnel battled to save it on March 16.

After a week of clearing out the debris, and despite an area being closed off still, new equipment has been brought in, and plans are being drawn up to rebuild its thatch roof.

Ted Kennedy, chairman of Pebble Hotels, which owns the Potters Heron, said they were having ‘good meetings’ with their master thatcher.

He said: “From the outside we have tidied up all the debris from the fire and scrubbed the car park.

“Our next step will be to start on the re-roofing and we have had good meetings with our master thatcher Chris Gaussen to plan for this.

“Once we are watertight we will refurbish the bar and restaurant and we have had initial discussions with our designer to sort that.

“We have relocated the bar and restaurant. We have a great range of beers, wines and spirits and even wonderful Flack Manor cask ale on a new hand-pulled pump.”

The hotel is currently waiting on local contractors to give them the green light to begin all the remedial works.

Chairman of Ampfield Parish Council, Brian Nanson, said: “I’m sure they worked tirelessly to make sure that it reopened and I’m so pleased to see them.”

Fire investigators confirmed the cause was an accidental spark in the chimney.