TWO of the New Forest's best-known publicans have bought three watering holes they have run for several years.
Duane and Debbie Lewis have completed the freehold purchase of the New Forest Inn at Emery Down, the Trusty Servant at Minstead, and the Royal Oak at Hilltop.
The sale has been announced by licensed and leisure property specialists Fleurets.
"These popular pubs offer authentic and wholesome food, a variety of local real ales and the letting rooms are extremely popular with walkers and those people visiting the area," said a Fleurets spokesperson.
Mr and Mrs Lewis added: "We are elated that we have completed on the purchase of the freeholds of the New Forest Inn, which we have run for 12 years, the Trusty Servant, which we have run for over nine years, and the Royal Oak, which we have run for five years.
"We have been enquiring about owning the freeholds and when Covid-19 occurred we thought our vision had come to an end.
"Luckily for us Cynergy Bank could offer us a CBILS loan.
"We held a managers meeting in readiness of re-opening and informed our staff who were ecstatic about our positive step forward, and (bless them) gave us a huge round of applause.
"With the ongoing situation Covid-19 we are confident that with the support of our loyal customers and our amazing staff we will safely get through to 'the other side' of this pandemic and come back better and stronger than before.”
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