A DEVELOPER has been found as the community attempts to save the Temple Inn.

As previously reported, Fuller’s has put the pub up for sale with Savills, and the Save Our Temple Inn (SOTI) group has been formed by Liss Forest Residents’ Association to save the pub.

SOTI has held a public meeting to present the results of its work and update the community on its progress.

There was also a presentation by representatives of Red Mist Leisure Ltd, a potential buyer of the Temple Inn, at the meeting.

SOTI chairman Matt Enticknap said: “The meeting was very well attended, doors having to be shut to prevent numbers exceeding those stipulated by the fire regulations.

“Since the meeting, the Temple Inn has been registered as an asset of community value by East Hampshire District Council.

“Although this is a positive move, it has resulted in a slight delay to Red Mist Leisure Ltd in exchanging contracts for its purchase.

“However, both SOTI and Red Mist Leisure Ltd remain convinced the purchase will go through and we all look forward to the reopening of the Temple Inn and it remaining open for many years to come.”

Liss Parish Council vice-chairman Keith Budden said: “The meeting went extremely well and there was a lot of public support for the plans.

“The pub is now registered as an asset of community value, and we have until December 28 to get a solution.

“The developers got a lot of support, and I think they’re keen to relaunch the pub by the end of the September as they need to get the Christmas trade.

“Most people are wholly committed to reopening the pub, and accept there will be some development of housing.”