A POPULAR pub in the heart of a Hampshire town has welcomed a new general manager who hopes to bring his wealth of catering experience to the role and boost the business. 

Russell Carley, 39, has taken over the top role at The White Horse Hotel in Romsey's Market Place.

A hospitality industry professional, he was previously the general manager of the Forest Park Hotel in the New Forest, when it was acquired by The Coaching Inn Group, which operates more than 30 other hotels and inns in market towns across the country.

Hampshire Chronicle: Russell, who grew up on the Isle of Wight, started work as a 16-year-old as a chef at a hotel in Rugby, before going on to take up a wide variety of roles within the catering and hospitality industry across the UK

He loves visiting Europe and decided to go part-time to pursue travel and other interests in his last year at Forest Park, and before taking up his new role in Romsey.

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Russell said: “The White Horse, draped in history, with its various lounges, dining room and events space, is a fabulous hotel.

“With the help of my senior staff, we are building a great team, focusing on what events we can introduce and on producing some exciting new menus.

“I also appreciate the support and warm welcome from our local guests and businesses.”

Kevin Charity, CEO of the Coaching Inn Group, said that he is delighted to welcome Russell as the new general manager of The White Horse.

The hotel, which has been Romsey’s best-known inn since medieval times, was acquired by the Coaching Inn Group in 2021.

Since then it has undergone an upgrade and refurbishment, including adding accommodation, a new coffee shop and a function room.

But up until 2019, the hotel was at the centre of an eight-year investigation into money laundering.

The National Crime Agency uncovered a network that saw hundreds of millions of pounds transferred through more than 100 bank accounts.

Now, the 600-year-old former coaching inn has left its murky past behind, with new owners, a new manager and investment into the Romsey community.