The Bugle Inn Twyford (from Scene South)

IT'S a brilliant story that shows what can be achieved when people refuse to give up.

When the Bugle Inn in Twyford near Winchester was closed by developers in 2004, villagers feared the worst.

But instead of moaning into their pints elsewhere the locals united to battle for the historic pub.

They persuaded planners to reject plans that entailed its closure and eventually the developers, Inntown Pub Company, after building several houses on the car park, sold out to a young chef, Lenny Carr-Roberts.

The 34-year-old invested £250,000 and reopened the pub in March, after a three-year closure. Early signs are that is going to be a winner.

Mr Carr-Roberts, 34, and his partner, Francesca Luckett, 23, give prominence to food but they maintain the Bugle is still a pub.

"There are seats at the bar and people are welcome to come in take a table for the evening and drink just two pints of lager. It is a free house. I do not have to answer to someone saying I have to hit a margin every day," he said.

The three real ales on offer - Flower Pots Bitter, Laverstock Park Farm Organic Ale and Bowman Swift One - are all Hampshire-produced.

Its not just local beer Lenny and Fransesca champion, but food too. "Ninety per cent of the producers, not suppliers, but producers come from within 30 miles. We get lamb, buffalo, cheese from Jody Scheckter's Laverstock Park, fish from the Solent, beef from Grange Farm near Alton."

He is a chef with an impressive pedigree, having worked at two Michelin-starred kitchens including Claridges in London.

The pub does not serve chicken nuggets or burger and chips but Lenny says he is happy to do half portions of the menu for children.

The interior of the pub has been modernised with tiled floors, black leather seats and the increasingly popular matt cream, grey and brown colour theme. But the beautiful Victorian frosted windows have been retained. The lovely terrace that captures the setting sun remains a popular attraction.

The Bugle is now essentially a hybrid pub-restaurant, and will certainly be more attractive to women.

One of the fears when part of the car park was built upon was the impact on passing trade. But Lenny fought hard and the planners have allowed him to have an 18-space car park round the side of the pub.

He paid tribute to the campaigners, led by local architect Rod Graham, who saved the pub. "It was excellent. Now we have reopened local people are supporting us. We have been very busy. The cricket team and tennis club come in. The Twyford Ladies Group meet here."

I visited the Bugle for the first time last night, only for a pint, rather than food, and very good it was too (Bowman's Swift One). The bar is comfortable, spacious and feels like a real pub with locals sitting at the bar. The original etched glass windows are wonderful and tell of former times. Congratulations to the owners for rescuing a village pub from the clutches of the asset stripping pub companies. They will certainly be seeing me again.

I visited the Bugle for the first time last night, only for a pint, rather than food, and very good it was too (Bowman's Swift One). The bar is comfortable, spacious and feels like a real pub with locals sitting at the bar. The original etched glass windows are wonderful and tell of former times.
Congratulations to the owners for rescuing a village pub from the clutches of the asset stripping pub companies. They will certainly be seeing me again.

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