A WINCHESTER city pub is still waiting for a new operator to take it on so major refurbishment works can start.
Star Pubs and Bars has been promoting First In Last Out, in Wales Street, since May last year.
The Heineken business announced that it's planning a £240,000 refurbishment of the historic pub which was closed due to structural issues in 2019.
The free house has since been up for lease, advertised with an ingoing cost of £38,291 and annual rent of £27,165.
A planning application was recently submitted for a range of new signs, floodlights and lanterns.
READ MORE: Work expected to start on long-left vacant Winchester pub next year
A spokesman for Star Pubs and Bars said: “We remain keen to undertake a major refurbishment of The First In Last Out on Wales Street, subject to recruiting an operator to lease the pub.
"The project would completely revamp The First In Last Out, transforming it into a top quality pub with a smart new décor and a stunning newly landscaped riverside garden complete with covers for year-round use.
"A new kitchen would also be installed to enable food to be a feature. The pub would have a bar area for drinks and socialising, a snug fitted out with darts as well as space for dining. The First In Last Out is a beautiful old listed pub.
"It is in a great location surrounded by housing and within walking distance of the centre of Winchester on a main route into the city. The pub also benefits from private accommodation for the operator.
“Whilst we have people interested in leasing The First In Last Out, this is at the very early stages. Anyone interested in finding out more about leasing the pub can see all the details at starpubs.co.uk or call 08085 94 95 96.”
The listed building had urgent structural works in 2021, with the entire gable end wall not properly attached to the rest of the building.
In 2013, its bedrooms were labelled the worst B&B rooms in the country and featured on the TV programme The Hotel Inspector when it tried to improve them.
The First In Last Out has been dispensing beer since at least 1896, originally as a beer-house that was licensed to sell beer but not spirits.
The pub has been a free house since 1976 having previously been a Charringtons house.
For more details about the planning application, search 24/00316/AVC on Winchester City Council's online planning portal.
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