THE White Hart in Okehampton will remain closed for the next few months at least after JD Wetherspoon re-iterated that it has no confirmed date as to when work will start on the pub.

Since the previous owners stopped trading last year, the building has stood empty. In October, JD Wetherspoon has confirmed that while the White Hart will become a Wetherspoon’s pub, it is not currently on the schedule for development.

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said: ’JD Wetherspoon has planning and licensing permission for the site, however at present it has no on-site or opening dates. The company is still committed to opening a pub on the site but can’t give any further update at present.’

Central Devon MP Mel Stride has voiced his disappointment at the announcement. He said: ’There are legitimate concerns about the impression that an empty pub in the middle of the town gives to visitors as a business and tourist destination; something that has been raised with me during my recent discussions with local traders.

’I was disappointed to receive only the briefest of replies to my enquiries with JD Wetherspoon, just that the company is still revising the plans due to costs and that it hopes to get on to site soon. I will be continuing to press them.’

Read more in the January 28 edition of the Times.