A MUCH-loved pub has welcomed new landlords with big ambitions.

The Weyhill Fair closed its doors in September last year to the surprise of owners, brewery chain Fullers.

Landlord Mark Lazenby had run the pub for a number of years, but with no further explanation decided to shut up shop.

Now after months of temporary chiefs at the helm, husband and wife team Karl and Claire Revius have signed a six-year tenancy, with plans to create a vibrant haunt.

The couple came in five weeks ago and were dreaming of taking over the pub months before.

Claire said: “We drove past this pub on quite a few occasions.

“We always thought it would be a nice place to take on with all the land at the back but we never thought it would be available but when it came up online we were thrilled.

“It has been a whirlwind.”

The pair have run a number of pubs in the UK and are currently tenants of another in Alton, which they are set to give up to concentrate on The Weyhill Fair.

“The pub is a typical small village country pub and we wanted something that was closer to town,” Claire said.

The move has come months after Claire was given the all clear following a battle with mouth cancer in which she had to have her tongue removed and jaw restructured.

Karl said: “We thought it would be a nice step up after Claire was given the all-clear. It would be our last move and we were looking at a lot of pubs in West Hampshire and Wiltshire.”

And since they have moved in the couple have already got underway in putting their own stamp on the tavern.

Karl commented: “We want people to feel comfortable to walk in. One thing we don’t want it to be is a sports pub - there are so many out there.”

The couple, who met in Spain while working in the industry, have put a focus on food by introducing a lunchtime menu and improving the Sunday roast offerings.

They have been pleased to see that regulars have also returned.

“We get old boys who get on the bus in Andover and come here. They know they are going to get a decent pint of ale,” Claire said.

“We want to put the love back into the place.”

Karl and Claire are also planning to continue the successful Weyhill Beer Festival which celebrated its 26th year this year.

They also hope to welcome groups into their function room, people looking for good food and are already taking bookings for Christmas.