NEW owners have taken over The Saints pub in Millbrook, Southampton.

Southampton-based developers Wickborne Homes have taken over the site from Enterprise Inns and are now working on a £20,000 facelift. They hope to reopen the pub next month.

The firm will then work with the city council and hold consultations with residents on plans to develop the site with a new pub and new houses.

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Said director, Rob Wickens: “First and foremost is a burning desire to provide a pub on the site, although sadly the existing pub is too large and unwieldy to be kept in the long term.

“However, there is the option of providing a new pub on the site together with a small terrace of community houses to the rear.”

The directors of Wickborne previously ran The Maybush pub through the 1990s and co-director Paul Osbourne is president of The Golden Ring boxing club which supports local youngsters.