EXCITEMENT is building for the opening of Okehampton’s new JD Wetherspoon pub in The White Hart Hotel next week.

The company has spent almost £3-million developing the pub and getting it ready for its opening on Tuesday, July 19. The pub, which will retain the name The White Hart Hotel, has created 65 new jobs and will be managed by Jon Willing. Kayleigh Scott is the hotel manager.

The refurbishment is the latest chapter in the hotel’s long and storied history. The pub has held a licence since 1623 when it was given its official licence as Okehamton’s ’premier inn’. The building was Garde II listed in 1952.

The ‘White Hart’ is one of Britain’s most popular pub names and has royal origins. The white hart was the heraldic emblem of Richard II and is depicted, seated on a bed of rosemary with a golden crown around its neck.

The White Hart Hotel will be open from 7am until 12 midnight Sunday to Thursday and 7am until 1am on Friday and Saturday. Food will be served throughout the day, from opening until 11pm, every day.

The new-look pub will feature one bar and a beer garden, to the rear of the premises, where smoking will be permitted in a designated area. The pub will be wheelchair accessible and have a specially-adapted toilet for people with disabilities, on the ground floor.

The hotel, which is set on the first, second and third floors above the pub, has 23 en suite bedrooms.

Pupils from Okehampton Primary School have created the artwork which decorates the hotel bedrooms and hallways. The students created pieces with a theme of mixed media Dartmoor scenes and watercolour paintings of the local wildlife.

Historical photos, details of local history, information relating to events, historical buildings and characters of the area, as well as commissioned artwork by local artists David Jones and Luna Fae, are all on display in the pub.

Manager Jon Willing said: ’Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub and hotel and we are confident that it will be a great addition to the Okehampton community.’

Okehampton town councillors have been lucky enough to have a look around the renovated pub ahead of its opening, in a visit organised by Cllr Ben Stephens.

Cllr Stephens said: ’It was really exciting to see the White Hart Hotel looking fresh and dynamic again. Wetherspoon’s have clearly directed huge amounts of resources and consideration for the community of Okehampton in renovating the White Hart Hotel. It was great to see so many councillors taking an interest as well.’

Cllr Kevin Ball, county councillor for Okehampton said: ’I am delighted with the work that Wetherspoons have done with the White Hart. The have both modernised it and kept the original character too, with evidence of the town’s history throughout. I am convinced the community will love it.’

Town mayor Cllr Jan Goffey said: ’It will be lovely to see the White Hart back in use as a major venue for visitors to the town. The interior changes are a real improvement and the bedrooms are equivalent to any 4* hotel I’ve stayed in. This will be a real asset to the town as regards encouraging tourism.’

Cllr Julie Yelland said: ’It was a delight and privilege to go on a tour of the newly refurbished White Hart Hotel. The works have been carried out to a very high standard and the rooms are very warm and welcoming.

’The facilities are excellent and we were assured that locally sourced drinks and produce will be supplied. The character of the building has been retained and the walls are filled with pictures of local interest.  The White Hart has a new lease of life and will be an asset to Okehampton for many years to come.’

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