The reopening of The Heath Hotel following a £1.58 million refurbishment by the budget pub chain has been met with delight by neighbours in Dibden Purlieu.

Local residents and travelling 'Spoons' fans, some with tales of the pub's previous incarnations, had formed an orderly queue by the time the pub reopened its doors at 8am on Tuesday (September 8).

Some of the team at The Heath Hotel (Image: Newsquest / Lorelei Reddin)

READ MORE: Popular JD Wetherspoon pub is back in business following £900,000 refurbishment

They rushed through a giant balloon arch supplied by Neeneez Balloons in Holbury and sampled the affordable drinks and no-frills food Wetherspoons pubs are renowned for.

Pub goers have been flocking to the site ever since for real ales, ciders, craft and world beers, soft drinks and a large selection of food. There's even been a visit from representatives of Hampshire's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and residents of the neighbouring care home.

The Heath Hotel pub manager Alex Tordoff (Image: Newsquest / Lorelei Reddin)

Pub manager Alex Tordoff previously in charge at The Six Bells in Lymington, has already taken the first steps towards inclusion in The Good Beer Guide with a selection including Gold from Flack's in Romsey and Ringwood Brewery Forty Niner on tap this week.

Alex said: "We're delighted to welcome people back to the pub. We know they've missed it!

"We're expecting a bumper opening weekend with the International Autojumble taking place at Beaulieu. That roundabout outside is never empty and you can fall off of it into our car park, so if you're passing give us a try."

The Heath Hotel in Dibden Purlieu has reopened as a JD Wetherspoon venue (Image: Newsquest / Lorelei Reddin)

Unusually for a Wetherspoons venue, The Heath Hotel boasts plenty of outside space, including a covered area and car park.

The Beaulieu Road pub is directly off of the Hythe bypass with access to open forest via Dibden Inclosure opposite.

The pub is set to employ around 40 people, including any of the team who wanted to stay on following the closure of the pub as a Whitbread venue.

Inside The Heath Hotel in Dibden Purlieu (Image: Newsquest / Lorelei Reddin)

The refurbished venue features historical photographs and artwork showcasing local scenes.

Renovations include a new colour scheme, the removal of a wall to open the venue up, bespoke carpeting, refurbished timber flooring, and upgraded bar equipment.

New kitchen facilities, fridges and toilets have also been installed, along with a lobby leading to the garden.

Staff accommodation and facilities are upstairs.