£350,000 investment to transform Fusion Inn, Lymington

The Fusion Inn in Lymington, which has been closed for three years, is to reopen in June as a modern family friendly high street local following a £350,000 major refurbishment by Heineken owned Star Pubs & Bars and new licensee Paul Smith.

Building work starts on Monday on a complete internal and external overhaul of the pub, which will be renamed The Sail Inn offering food and barista style for the first time. Around 15 - 20 new jobs will be created when it reopens. Outside, The Sail Inn is being given a complete facelift with a new entrance, new signage and lighting. The garden is being reconfigured and landscaped, creating a sunshine trap with new tables and chairs seating 40 and a sheltered area with festoon lighting.

Inside, funds are being spent modernising the pub and creating a brighter more spacious interior with seating for 100. The bar is being reduced in size whilst features like the pub’s two open fires and panelling will be retained and the original brickwork exposed. In keeping with the pub’s new nautical name, there’ll be a rustic look and feel with windsurfing and sailing pictures as well as an eclectic mix of mustard yellow and burnt orange button back booth style seating, retro bar stools and industrial style lighting.

The food will be great value, available from breakfast through to the evening. The menu will include traditional English favourites such as old-fashioned pie and mash, burgers and hand battered fish & chips with garden or mushy peas, as well as lighter lunch time options like baguettes and salads. There’ll also be a range of special offers including children’s meal deals and money off for senior citizens.

Drinks will include cask ales, premium lagers, a gin bar and small selection of cocktails as well as a good range of wines to suit all budgets.

The opening hours for the pub will be 10.00am to 11.00pm, Monday to Thursday, 10.00am to 11.30pm on Friday and

Saturday and 9.00 to 11.00pm on Sunday.

Paul Smith said: "I have always liked Lymington and am a keen sailor. When I heard The Fusion Inn was to have significant investment creating a brand-new pub how I wanted it and decided it was an opportunity not to be missed.

"I want to create a friendly, modern pub cafe offering great value for money dining that is rooted in the community. It will be somewhere you can bring your family, your dog, meet friends or come on your own and be sure of a warm welcome.

"The transformation of The Sail Inn will I hope lead to further investment and a smartening up of the top end of town, which is used by locals."

Neil Convery, regional operations director for Star Pubs & Bars said:

“HEINEKEN is a passionate supporter of the great British pub and is investing £50m this year in pubs like The Sail Inn to help them deliver excellent quality, attract customers and thrive in their communities for years to come.

Pubs need to evolve to remain relevant to consumer needs. The refurbishment will take The Sail Inn to a new level, improving the appearance, comfort and facilities and creating a sociable place where people of all ages can come together.

“We’re delighted that Paul has taken on The Sail Inn. He's got the experience and a real affinity with the town which together will result in a great local for the Lymington community. We wish him well.”