IT’S all systems go following the purchase of Haslemere’s landmark Georgian Hotel by a group of six local supporters.

“It’s nice to be back after a difficult year,” previous hotel co-owner and group member Mark McVeigh said. “We want it to be the beating heart of Haslemere again.

“Everyone has said they are delighted. There was a great fear the hotel would go out of local hands.”

The announcement in February that the grade II listed hotel, a cornerstone of the High Street, had gone into administration for the second time in three years, sent shock waves through the community.

It continued to be ‘business as usual’ at the 43-bed hotel and spa, which offers a restaurant, bar and conference/meeting room and is fully licensed for civil marriages and partnerships, when it went on the market for £2.5million in April.

Determined to keep it a locally-owned business, five other backers joined forces with Mr McVeigh and bought The Georgian in September.

The new owners have just treated the restaurant and bar area to a major revamp and the plan is to upgrade all the facilities.

Haslemere-based chartered surveyor Richard Angel is the new chief executive, and one of two town residents forming the new company – Lannister House (1782) – named for the year the landmark chestnut tree was planted in the High Street next to the hotel.

“As local residents, we wanted everyone to carry on enjoying the benefits of the hotel,” Mr Angel said.

“That’s why we took the bull by the horns and rescued the business.

“But we need the support of the local community to make it a success.

“We have just improved the bar and restaurant decor to give it a more relaxed and cosy vibe.

“We have developed a kids’ menu with input from my wife and children and we have also opened a ‘Mouse House’ session on Friday mornings with toys for families with young children to enjoy. This weekend, our chef Chris Graham, previously at Grayshott Spa, is introducing a new menu with the emphasis on using the best local produce.

“We want to make the hotel more multi-functional and improve the internal layout so it rivals the best boutique country hotels, such as Babbington House, and becomes a destination in its own right.

“It would have been sacrilege to let it fall into disrepair or fall into other hands.

“I never dreamt when I moved to Haslemere that I would end up part owning it. This feels like a real community enterprise.”