Pub couple Hare to stay

A VILLAGE pub is open for business again following a change of owners and refurbishment. Now new owners Gordon Sweeting, 60, and Sue Davies, 51, are ready to welcome back old customers to the Hare and Hounds at Harlton, while hoping to make a name for the

A VILLAGE pub is open for business again following a change of owners and refurbishment.

Now new owners Gordon Sweeting, 60, and Sue Davies, 51, are ready to welcome back old customers to the Hare and Hounds at Harlton, while hoping to make a name for themselves with their traditional country pub ­atmosphere.

Mr Sweeting, 60, said: "It's an old traditional pub, and we want to keep it that way, and to be part of village life and the community.

"So many places are changing to fancy restaurants which serve beer, but we're focusing on being a good old fashioned pub which also serves high quality home-made food."

"Our menu, which Sue cooks, has really taken off, especially our Sunday lunch and our fish supper on a Friday, and the customers keep coming back."

Ms Davies, 51, said: "We aren't tied to any one brewery, and that means we can serve what we and our customers want.

"It does mean that it's all our own money that goes into the pub, but it gives us ­independence."

Mr Sweeting and Ms. Davies have family ties to the area, so when the pub was advertised they jumped at the chance to take over from the old landlord, who now lives next door and is a great help to them, offering expert advice.

The pair both gave up established careers, Sue as an office manager of 17 years, and Gordon as a chauffeur of 20.

Mr Sweeting said: "I was fed up with sitting on the M25. I like London - but not being ­constantly stuck in traffic on the motorway, coming home late, and not eating together."

Ms Davies said: "It's a radical change to our lifestyle.

"So many people moan about their jobs, and are stuck in a rut, but don't do anything about it.

"They like the security a regular job offers, even if they don't like the job, but don't ever take the gamble we did."

The couple are running various events to make the pub even more popular.

There is a weekly meat raffle on Friday nights, and a quiz every Sunday.

The Hare and Hounds will host a Mr and Mrs quiz tonight, Valentine's Day, where couples have to answer questions about each other, and an Irish Hooley is scheduled for March 15.

Ms Davies says she has one regret.

She said: "My father always wanted to run a pub, but died just before we took over here, so he never got to see us."

For more information, visit www.hareandhoundspub.net or ring 01223 262672.