Ship Inn Lymington (from Scene South)

That is what was done to the Ship Inn in Lymington and it is seems to be money well spent.

The pub's reputation was apparently on a steep downhill slope before it was shut at the end of 2006.

To bring about a turnaround the new owners shelled out around £1m to fund a top to bottom makeover.

General manager Rachael Martin, 31, who took over when the venue reopened in December 2006, believes things have now "definitely changed for the better."

She said: "It needed a lot of work doing to it and now nothing remains from the old pub. It has been completely made over."

Out went conventional pub features like the TVs and games machines to be replaced with log fires, while they also got rid of the smoking area but had a decking area built in the garden that looks like the perfect spot to watch a summer's day go by.

The pub is situated right on Lymington Town Quay so having a sailing-influenced interior design was an obvious choice to make. And it has been stylishly implemented.

The huge wine display made out of a ship's sail was a stand out feature. Such features have helped create a unique-looking pub that really is worth seeing.

Access has been improved and the food and drink has also been upgraded to include traditional freshly cooked meals, using locally sourced produce, with a wide range of European beers added to the drinks menu. As a result of all the improvements a wider range of clientele now frequent the pub-restaurant.

"Previously there were a lot of big, young groups," Rachael said. "But we have got a real mix now and it has opened up a bit more."

All the improvements have left Rachael feeling positive about what 2008 holds. She said: "Last year was a good year. This year is all about building on that."

This pub use 2 b fantastic!! Use to drink here all the time b4 my kids n when i had my kids at family gathrings!! Went at xmas with my kids only to find kids not really weclome No kids menue had to ask 4 it!! no soft kids drinks or kids seating!! was not impressed with the service but did really like the open fire as u went in its an unusal freature but a nice one and the beer was nice but over all not impressed!!!! sorry

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