THE TEMPLE Inn pub in Liss Forest has re-opened.

The pub has opened its doors again following a £300,000 refurbishment from entrepreneurs Mark Robson and Mark Williams, who are the co-founders of Red Mist Leisure.

The community’s village pub, which has been closed since January 2017, is the group’s tenth pub, of which five are in Hampshire.

The refurbishment has ended fears that the Temple was to become another of Britain’s dying pubs.

Red Mist Leisure bought the pub from Fuller’s after steps to save it were taken by Liss Forest Residents’ Association, which formed a task force called Save Our Temple Inn (SOTI).

East Hampshire district councillor for the Hangers and Forest Ward Keith Budden said: “I think it’s quite impressive what they’ve done to the Temple Inn.

“It looks totally different inside and there is now a lot more space than before.

“I hope the pub does well and I hope people now use the Temple Inn.

“It has got a lot of potential.

“We still have a local pub because a lot of local people put in a lot of effort to save it.

“The SOTI committee deserve everyone’s thanks for what they have done, and I would also like to thank Red Mist Leisure for clearing all of the various hurdles.

“I think it reflects well on Liss Forest that people have given up their time to work on this.”

Temple Inn pub manager Nat Thatcher said: “We’re delighted to be open and look forward to welcoming our customers, both old and new.

“This is the start of a new era for the Temple Inn and we hope the locals of Liss Forest and the surrounding area, who were keen to save their pub, are proud of what we have all achieved together.”