Hampshire pub Malt & Hops pub set to become nursery

The Malt and Hops on South Street “closed for refurbishment” in May 2023 but despite hopes to reopen the venue never did.

Zoe O’Hara, 51, from nearby The Lord Nelson pub, said that the closure of another venue in Hythe was a big loss for her business.

“It’s quite devastating because people would come into the village and go on a pub crawl,” Zoe said.

“They would often start at the Malt [and Hops] and go around the town, but now it’s just another empty watering hole gone from our village.”

READ MORE: Pub struggling to survive with no Hythe Ferry sailings

The former Malt and Hops landlady Stella Fletcher, who ran the establishment for 11 years, joined the team at The Lord Nelson while she waited for refurbishments to be complete.

Zoe said: “Every publican has her regulars, and Stella had loads.

“Stella is a huge part of the community. When you are a publican, you have a lot of trust in honest customers that will always stand by you and always help you out when you need things, she’s got a lot of customers devastated by the news.”

The Lord Nelson pub in Hythe. (Image: Archant) Posting on Facebook, Stella Fletcher said: “I’m gutted, [I] loved running the Malt, and so many people were looking forward to the reopening.

"Six dart teams and two pool teams, as you know it was a great community pub and everyone loved the open fires on a cold winter evening.”

The community is  showing its strength - with 17 residents objecting to the nursery’s planning bid.

The plan was submitted by 2 Hats Development & Leisure Ltd and Hythe Nurture Haven Day Nursery.

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One objector, who was not named, said: "It's nothing against the people who are making the nursery, we just love our local."

Under the plans, parking would be positioned on site and existing access would be retained.

Hythe Nurture Haven Day Nursery, trading as Hive Day Nursery and Preschool, said: "Although we understand the upsetting news of the Malt and Hops closing as a pub, we are excited to bring a happy community based nursery to the area, what we feel the local area needs.

"Our main focus is children’s safety in a welcoming and natural ‘home from home’ environment for local families to be a kind, loving great addition to your town."