PLANS to revitalise Haslemere’s historic 19th-century railway tavern, The Inn on the Hill (pictured), have been submitted by new owners The Upham Group.

The group, which owns Hampshire-based Upham Brewery, has refurbished and re-opened pubs across Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex and Wiltshire.

Its Chiddingfold pub, The Swan Inn, was awarded Best Pub in Surrey in the National Pub and Bar Awards 2016.

Punch Taverns sold the Haslemere pub opposite the station, after the leaseholders went into liquidation last year.

An application for a linked extension in order to provide seven bedrooms with a larger restaurant and bar area and improved parking, has just been submitted to Waverley planners.

Haslemere Town Council has raised no objection but expressed the hope the new owners would tidy up the retaining wall that fronts Lower Street.

The applicant’s supporting design and access statement said: “It is our view, and hope, that with these improvements to the Inn on the Hill, it might become a valuable, visual and social asset to Haslemere and help provide attractive and useful facilities for tourists and local people as well as providing employment and will therefore contribute to a thriving economy.”