A NEW landlord has taken over at The Green Dragon.

The pub has had a succession of short term landlords since it re-opened in March 2014 after being gutted by a fire.

However, new proprietor David Stanley is hoping to change that and plans to stay at the pub for the long haul.

David comes to the London Road, Liphook, pub with a wealth of experience, with 46 years in the trade.

His last pub was The Plough in St John’s, Redhill.

David said: “I sold The Plough, which was a very successful pub in Redhill, in October, and I then took a couple of months off.

“I was looking around for a new pub and I found The Green Dragon, so I did a deal with Enterprise and agreed a five-year lease.

“I see the potential here, and as I’ve been in the trade for 46 years I like to think I know a little bit.”

David has had to do a large amount of work to the pub.

He said: “I had to clear it up and I’ve turned it into a good, solid pub.

“We’ve got good ales, a good kitchen and some unusual premium lagers, including a Czech lager.

“The kitchen does pub food, as we are a pub, not a restaurant.”

David also has plans to improve the garden at the pub.

He said: “We’ve been tidying up the garden, and I’m hoping to put a proper patio area in the back and to enlarge the kitchen.

“I’m also looking to do spit roasts and barbecues when the summer arrives.”

One of David’s rules at The Green Dragon is that no children under ten years old are allowed on the premises.

“It worked at my last pub and I think the majority of people are happy to have a pub with no children under ten years old,” said David.

“There are other pubs in Liphook children can go to.”

David has been pleased with how the community has rallied round and supported the pub since he opened it.

He said: “The trade has been superb for the first couple of weeks since opening.”