A PUBLICAN who was forced out of an Andover pub is taking over a watering hole in Overton.

Victoria Harber, who used to run The Queen Charlotte Inn on London Road, has signed a lease to take over The Red Lion pub at 37 High Street in Red Lion Lane, Overton.

The Advertiser reported last month that Vicki has signed a lease for a new pub, although she had not revealed the name of the pub.

READ MORE: Former Queen Charlotte publican signs lease for new pub

Vicki, who is also a councillor for the Test Valley Borough Council, said she is very excited about the new beginning.

“We are starting a new life in a lovely little village,” Vicki said.

“The lease is on a free-of-tie basis. It is great to stay without being tied to the horrible Pubco and break free of Stonegate.”

The Red Lion pub building is owned by Shannon and Caroline Wells who ran the pub for nearly 14 years.

They stepped back from running the pub in September 2019 after finding tenants to take on the lease, which they planned to use as their retirement fund.

However, after the leasees ended the contract last year at the height of the pandemic, the couple found they were ineligible for Covid support grants, putting them in financial struggles.

They had to take the lease back, although their original plan was to retire.

Vicki said her family will be moving to the Red Lion soon. The pub will officially open under her lease from Friday, February 18. Jake Ward will be providing the entertainment that night.

Vicki was the landlord of The Queen Charlotte Inn until November last year when she was left with no choice but to leave after the pub company made a huge increase in its rent.

SEE ALSO: Basingstoke restoration business moves to bigger facility​

She found herself tossed out of her premises after the pub owner Stonegate increased the rent by 73 per cent (from £34,000 to £59,000 per year).

Having originally been told that her tenancy would be renewed when it expires in November, Vicki was informed in July of the planned price hike, after she had already invested significantly in her business, including buying new decking.

The company had claimed the hike in rent is to cover necessary refurbishments, but would not include the cost of fixings and fittings.

The Queen Charlotte has now been taken over by Sussex Inn.

Message from the editor 

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support. 

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from Basingstoke by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page. 

Kimberley Barber

Editor