Following our previous report that the Bitterne Park Hotel could open next week, owners Enterprise Inns have announced it’s now expected to reopen during week commencing February 10, with a new publican taking up the reins.

Enterprise say the new publican will be Kevin Guerrier, who runs another pub for the company – The Obelisk in Woolston.

“We are very pleased to welcome Kevin Guerrier as the new Publican of the Bitterne Park Hotel,” said an Enterprise Inns spokesperson. “Kevin is an experienced and successful local pub operator and we are confident the site has a great future in his hands. The pub is expected to open week commencing February 10, and we will be looking to invest to help the Bitterne Park Hotel reach its full potential.”

Mr Guerrier, who took the Obelisk over in June 2011, said that there were plans for “quite substantial” internal and external refurbishment at the Bitterne Park Hotel.

Pub heritage

“I cannot stand seeing all these community pubs shutting down everywhere. I take personal issue with the fact that we are losing our pub heritage with the number of pub closures nationally,” he said.

“I know the pub has quite a large loyal regular following, and I know that Ian [the previous landlord] did a fantastic job there in his 21 years. I can’t replace the man. What I do intend to do is run a successful pub, a successful business, bring back food… eventually it will be running as a small hotel, with some investment from us as well as Enterprise, and we want to move towards making it child friendly, family friendly – dog friendly!”

Mr Guerrier said that he wanted to make it into a proper community and family pub, along similar lines to The Obelisk – which is described on southampton-pubs.co.uk as “a Traditional Family Orientated Community Pub with an exceptionally friendly atmosphere”.

He added Enterprise’s element of refurbishment work would probably take place in the spring.

• The new landlord said he is keen to make contact with former Bitterne Park Hotel employees regarding posts at the pub - he'll be at the pub getting it ready over the coming days.

Previously, with comments: Bitterne Park Hotel: 'Could resume trading next week'

Check further comment on our Facebook page, which you can find from this link; 'Like' the page to receive bitternepark.info updates to your own Facebook stream.