A WINCHESTER woman has taken over a once-popular pub in Weeke to give it a new lease of life for her locals.

Jo Hoggart took over the Roebuck Inn in Stockbridge Road in January and has already put her own stamp on the historic building.

Formerly working in Eastleigh College in management she took over the independent pub – which is owned by local businessman Clive Mansell – just days after getting married.

“It’s about building that atmosphere,” she said.

Mrs Hoggart has known Mr Mansell for several years, having been born and bred in the city.

“It’s lovely to be part of that family and part of that team,” she said. “I’m really proud to be part of it.”

The new landlady now offers special dishes, on top of the usual pub dishes of lasagne and cottage pie, including duck wraps and handmade beef burgers and a range of homemade desserts – of which were offered at the special launch party which welcomed Cllr Eileen Berry, the Mayor of Winchester.

She has also tweaked the wine menu, started a darts night on Mondays, a quiz on Sundays, all in an effort to give the best to her locals whom she calls her “bread and butter”.

“It’s a learning curve but it’s applying all these skills to realise what people want,” she added. “It’s a change but it’s fab.

“We’re doing it slowly. We don’t want to shake everybody up but want to see what works. People are coming in and saying that it is now how it used to be 20 years ago.

“They keep saying they’re so pleased to have their pub back and I love it.”