THERE is an experienced hand at the helm of The Bounty Inn.

Moray Cameron, who also owns The Jolly Farmer in Cliddesden, has taken on the lease for the popular pub in Bounty Road, in the Fairfields area of Basingstoke.

Last summer Moray was approached by Punch Taverns to take over the pub at short notice.

He agreed and became its general manager, running the pub on a tenancy-at-will arrangement.

Delighted to take on the role, Moray said: “The Bounty always had a good reputation, but we didn’t make too many changes as we were just caretakers really.

“But it’s only recently that we have signed a full lease. So, now it’s ours we’ve refurbished the pub and redesigned the garden – that’s the biggest change we’ve made.

“And I think that’s what’s going to bring in a lot of customers in the summer.

“The garden is going to be a lovely little sun trap in the middle of the town. It should be a great place to come and relax and enjoy a drink.”

Moray is also offering a new light menu for lunchtime customers, He feels, in part due to its location within walking distance from Basingstoke town centre, and being close to a church, school and May’s Bounty cricket ground, that the pub has a country feel.

“Our strapline is that it’s a village pub in the town – and that’s the feel of the pub,” explained Moray, who has seen an increase in trade at the inn.”

With Moray being a real ale drinker, he offers local brews on tap which he will rotate, including beer from Andwell Brewing Company and Longdog Brewery.

Moray, who has run The Jolly Farmer since 2010 has been involved the hospitality trade since he was 13, when his parents bought a pub.

Since then he has worked for Michelin star restaurateur and chef Albert Roux, TV chef Keith Floyd as well as being head chef at Careys Manor, in Brockenhurst, later moving to The Balmer Lawn Hotel.

He was also executive head chef with Macdonald Wessex Hotels and The East End Arms in the New Forest.