Boxford: White Hart pub to re-launch under new ownership

The White Hart has been bought by Spectre Leisure Ltd, who will take over the pub at the end of the month.

The pub will be the second Spectre Leisure Ltd, a family-run catering and events service, has run, as they are also the leaseholders at the Maldon Grey in Sudbury.

Tony Bayliss, chief executive officer at Spectre Leisure, said: "I was sitting in the Maldon Grey, and one of the regulars came in and said are you looking to take on a second pub.

"I was interested so I went and had a look and there seemed to be a great vibe in the village.

The Spectre Leisure Ltd team. Tony Bayliss (second left) with wife Rebecca (third left) (Image: Spectre Leisure Ltd.)

"I hadn't really been aware of Boxford, I hadn't been there until I was looking at the pub and when I got there, it just felt very homely.

"Something about it just felt right, and the pub was really nice.

"I am really excited because even with the economy in its current state, to be able to push on and open a second pub at the end of our first year as Spectre Leisure, just makes me really chuffed."

Tony has been working in hospitality for 22 years, and together, with his wife Rebecca and their family, has been catering for events such as the 2020 Euro Final, 2017 Champions League Final and The Grand National.

Mr Bayliss continued: "We are going to go with your standard classic menu, but we are going to have a specials board with more upmarket and ala carte options for people who would like them.

The White Hart in Boxford (Image: Google Maps)

"We are also going to have a vegan menu and try and listen to the community and see what they want.

"For me, pubs are very much for the community so I really want it to be about them.

"Because it is a freehold pub, we are able to look anywhere for different beers from around the area.

"Again, we will listen to the regulars and see what they like to drink and cater for them."

The pub is set to re-launch under the new ownership on December 27.