A TROUBLED pub which had its licence revoked has been given a £40,000 facelift and a new name.

The Cricketers, in Heath End Road, Baughurst, had its licence revoked by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council earlier this year following a myriad of issues over a number of years

This culminated in an an attack on 53-year-old Peter Bradfield in the venue’s car park on December 22 last year. As a result of the assault, Mr Bradfield died two days later on Christmas Eve.

The pub had its licence revoked following a borough council licensing sub-committee meeting which was held in March this year.

However, since the decision was made Trust Inns, the company which owns The Cricketers, has been working with the borough council to ensure the pub could re-open.

Now, under new management and a new name, the Do Drop Inn, Trust Inns hopes the fresh-look will give the pub a new reputation.

The works have included spending more than £40,000 to ‘give new life’ to the Heath End Road venue.

A spokesperson from Trust Inns said: “Following the closure of The Cricketers, Trust Inns has worked closely with all the local regulatory authorities to ensure all elements of the pub’s licence are met so that it can reopen.

“To this end, the Do Drop Inn opened its doors last week as a managed operation - rather than a tenancy.

“The new name reflects a change in proposition for the pub; a £40,000 spend on internal decoration, more premium brands on the bar and a new food offering, due to start in three to four weeks' time.

“It is hoped that the name change provides the pub with a new lease of life and direction and will be appreciated and enjoyed by many local residents.”

As well as the attack on Mr Bradfield and its aftermath, the pub had been criticised for serving of alcohol to an underage person, reportedly high levels of cocaine being found in the toilets, the display of an out-of-date licence, and inadequate staff training which all led to the licence revocation by the borough council.