A PUB in Winchester is set to reopen following a quick turnaround in ownership.

Paul Tickner and Jo Bartlett have bought the freehold for the Albion in Stockbridge Road.

The couple, who also own the Flower Pots Inn in Cheriton and The Wheatsheaf in Shedfield, hope to reopen the pub soon though they say there is a lot of work to be done first.

Mr Tickner said it would have been impossible to open any earlier, despite rumours the pub would reopen today, a week after it shut.

“After seeing it there was no way that was going to happen,” he said. “I hope to open in the next week or so but we have still got painting to do, and the floorboards to refit.”

Its previous owners, Paul and Hester Soulsby, took over the property in 2011 but closed the doors last Friday.

Mr Tickner said he jumped at the chance to take over the business when he was contacted by the previous landlord.

“To get a free house in Winchester is a dream come true,” he said.

Mr Tickner also confirmed he will not consider selling food, claiming he will make more money from selling pints of their traditional bitters and pale ales which they make at the Flowerpots Brewery located near to the Inn.