THE new landlords at a troubled Basingstoke pub say they want to get off to a fresh start as they open for business.

Kathy and Terry Alexander have taken over the running of the Great Western Hotel, in Vyne Road, and say they are determined to turn the place around after it was closed following allegations of under-age drinking and drug abuse.

Mrs Alexander, who also runs The Winkle pub, in Winklebury Way, together with her husband, said: "We will be aiming to attract a different clientele.

"I worked here 25 years ago when it was a completely different pub. We want to make it a nice place again."

The former licensee, William Royden Davies, was forced to shut in July after the pub's licence was revoked by the licensing committee at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Police presented evidence of alcohol being served to 16-year-olds. There were also concerns about the lack of CCTV cameras and allegations of drug-taking.

The new managers have installed CCTV cameras outside and inside the pub, and they also have posters urging young customers to provide proof of age when ordering alcoholic drinks.

Mrs Alexander said: "Anyone who looks under 21 will be asked to prove their age.

"We will not tolerate youngsters drinking in the pub, or the taking of drugs on the premises."

The hotel is owned by Enterprise Inns, which owns 8,000 pubs throughout the country.

The new leaseholders are licensed to serve alcohol between 9am and midnight from Sunday to Wednesday, and until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The pub opened on November 27.