A NEW tenant is being sought for a popular Hampshire pub for the first time in more than 20 years.

The Thomas Tripp, an award-winning eatery and live music venue in Stanford Road, Lymington, has been closed since the previous landlord stepped down last autumn.

The pub is being marketed for let by Savills, who are acting on behalf of a private freeholder.

Savills says the Thomas Tripp occupies a prominent position in one the south’s most desirable coastal market towns and boasts one of the largest beer gardens in the area.

Daily Echo:

A spokesman said: “This has always been a popular community-orientated pub with a loyal customer base.

“It has a great reputation and long history of supporting the live music industry.

“Our client is open-minded to the opportunity the property presents, which may include developing the food and beverage offering as well as scope to add B&B rooms, subject to consents.

“We are encouraged by the positive expressions of interest received to date.”

Daily Echo:

The previous landlord was Jon Burdge, who ran the pub for 21 years. Speaking shortly before he pulled his last pint he said: “I felt the time was right for all sorts of reasons, but it was a very hard decision to make.

“People have got a lot of affection for the Thomas Tripp, which is wonderful.”

Customers have included TV film critic Mark Kermode and the late Emma Chambers, an award-winning actress who appeared in The Vicar of Dibley.