A HAMPSHIRE pub is set to reopen next month after changing hands for the first time in 21 years.

The Thomas Tripp, an award-winning watering hole and grass roots live music venue, has been closed since the previous landlord retired at the end of last year.

It has now been let by Savills to business partners Henry Fry and Joe Hibberd.

Joe has worked in kitchens across Hampshire since he was 15, occupying prominent positions at Careys Manor, Valley Farm and Lainston House.

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Henry has experience in the wider late-night leisure sector and more recently for craft beer and natural wine specialist Clapton Craft.

He said: “We both grew up in Lymington and the Thomas Tripp was always our last spot on a night out.

"When the opportunity to acquire the Thomas Tripp presented itself we thought it would be the perfect time to turn our passion for food and drink into reality.

"The Thomas Tripp is a perfect fit for what we want to do and we love that we can put our own stamp on it.”

Henry said he and Joe were hoping to re-open by the middle of next month.

He added: "The Thomas Tripp will remain a pub, offering drinks by independent brewers and cider makers and wine producers.

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"The former live music room will house a contemporary British restaurant with an ever-changing seasonal and locally-sourced menu.

"On top of this we will have a take-away bottle shop set up providing pints, cans and bottles to be enjoyed at home."

Chris Bickle of Savills Southampton added: “As the lockdown restrictions eased, interest in the pub increased significantly, which was replicated across other desirable coastal and market town locations in the southern region.

"The Thomas Tripp is well configured to provide customers with space and amenity, which is increasingly important.”