Former nuisance pub to reopen as 'family-friendly' inn

A LYMINGTON pub that has been at the centre of residents’ complaints over late licensing and noise nuisance in the town is to reopen as a "family-friendly" local.

The Fusion Inn, in Queen Street, which has been shut for nearly three years, has new tenants and a refurbishment is due to start this month.

People living nearby expressed concern when a photo of an alcohol licence application asking for the inn’s closing time to be 2.30am on a Friday and Saturday night was posted on Facebook.

But a spokesperson for owners Star Pubs & Bars told the A&T there is no intention to open the new pub so late.

A statement said: "We're delighted to announce that new licensees are taking on the Fusion Inn and that a refurbishment is scheduled to start on 13th May.

“We are not applying for a post-midnight licence as the pub will be very different to what it was before.

"It will be a modern, family-friendly high street local. We look forward to sharing more details in the next few weeks."

On their website Star Pubs & Bars say the proposed refurbishment will “create a premium venue with a great food offer”.

They say they hope it will become a hub of the community and “a go-to food & drink destination in the town”.

Reacting to the new licensing application, one local resident said on Facebook: “As someone who owns a property very close to this site, I would be totally against them having a licence until 2.30am.

“Already the noise coming from people walking down Southampton Road in the summer in the early hours of the morning is very disruptive and has frequently woken us up.

"I know lots of neighbours didn’t like the late license the Fusion had before so I’d be surprised if this gets through the licensing committee."