AN HISTORIC pub in Great Wishford that re-opened under new management in November after years of vacancy is currently closed and waiting to reopen following a flooding. 

A pipe burst in its kitchen during the freezing weather in December.

The Royal Oak in has operated in Great Wishford since 1822, adopting its current name in 1848.

In 2016, its stability as a successful pub came to an end and villagers banned together to save the pub.

In November, the pub found a new leader in Kerry Leonard, who discovered its plight through a friend of her father’s who lives in Great Wishford.

She had already gained experience running a pub in Bedhampton and saw the passion the people of Great Wishford had for their pub to remain open and serve as a centre for the community.

She said at the time that villagers were offering all the help they could to support the pub’s restart.

But the pub is once again facing challenges. The flood in December also compromised the electricity system, preventing Kerry from opening.

Kerry said: “The village people are constantly on the phone to me. They want it to open.”

Kerry said that although the circumstances are a disappointment after a successful opening and first week of business, she remains committed to the pub’s success so it can be there for the people of Great Wishford.

She said: “I’m determined; I’m not walking away.”

The landlord of the building in which The Royal Oak operates was contacted for additional information and comment but did not respond before publication.