A pub by the River Test is set to re-open, after being closed for renovation since 2017.
The Duke on the Test formally known as The Dukes Head will be reopening at the end of spring and is now recruiting for over 25 new part and full time positions.
The Duke dates back to 1583 when the first hostelry opened on the site.
The pub has now been extensively refurbished and also extended to include 12 en-suite bedrooms and a sun room.
The new offering will have an extended bar and restaurant area for over 90 customers, as well as outside patio space. Other features include a double aspect log burner, as well as a snug and library area. Many of the original features have remained including oak beams and an Inglenook fireplace.
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Sarah Edom, general manager of The Duke, said: “The exciting reality is we are now very close to bringing this much-loved, historic pub back to life, which we are confident local people and visitors to the area looking for quality accommodation will support. We are creating something very special and look forward to welcoming back old regulars and new customers to The Duke.
“It will be a wonderful place to meet, eat, drink and sleep in the heart of the Test Valley. We are a stone’s throw from the River Test which makes for a stunning location for customers. We are very dog-friendly in the bar with a stunning river walk just a few hundred yards from the bar. The Duke will be serving delicious home-cooked gastropub dishes alongside local real ales and a fabulous selection of wines and spirits.
“As members of Hampshire Fayre, the emphasise will be to embrace all things from the Test Valley region – fresh produce, locally sourced. For example, we are hoping to use Chalk Stream Trout and the local Vineyards Black Chalk and Danebury for our wine list. We will also be exploring River Test Gin, whose gin won Best English London Dry in 2020.”
The Duke will be managed in conjunction with The Four Horseshoes in Nursling which also benefitted from a significant investment with a refurbishment and extension and successfully reopened in 2019.
Sarah said: “If people want to see what the offering will be like at The Duke please come and visit our sister pub The Four Horseshoes in Nursling which has received excellent reviews since it’s re-opening nearly three years ago. We are now recruiting for The Duke on the Test and there are some exciting full and part time opportunities for the right candidates including chef, waitress, and bar positions.”
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