A PUB has come a step closer to fruition with the granting of a premises licence for The Ivy House at the junction of Butts Road with the High Street.

It would mean the JD Wetherspoon premises would open for up to 18-and-a-half hours a day, seven days a week.

The gastro-pub chain owns the Grade II Listed Ivy House and adjoining Oceanic House, and has applied to East Hampshire District Council Planning Department for change of use from B2 offices to A4 public house, with internal alterations to Ivy House.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.