HAVING been saved from closure after a campaign headed by villager Karen Lynch and backed by the parish council, The Royal Exchange pub in Lindford is celebrating its first year in business following the fight to save it.

Since reopening last November, following an £850,000 refurbishment, The Royal Exchange, in Liphook Road, has received a big thumbs up from locals, who joined together to form a Pub Task Force and approached Red Mist Leisure, based in Farnham, in 2011.

The Pub Task Force had formed to try to save the Royal Exchange which had been put up for sale and was in a neglected state, having suffered years of little investment.

There have been several highlights from the pub’s first year of rebirth.

A spokesman cited two of these highlights as “being made to feel so welcome in the village and surrounding areas” and “receiving such positive feedback for the food, service and atmosphere which the team work hard to deliver on a daily basis”.

The pub has committed to raising £10,000, which it plans to exceed, over three years for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance - a charity nominated by its customers.

The spokesman cited this as another highlight, along with the launching of the Bordon Business Exchange.

The exchange connects local businesses at a monthly, free networking event with guest speakers.

The event is held in partnership with the Bordon and Whitehill Regeneration Company, which is leading the redevelopment of Whitehill and Bordon, and Enterprise Nation.

The spokesman said the pub had raised nearly £2,500 for charity since its opening, with a 26-mile ramble, ale donations, at networking events and through prize donations. More than £500 had been given to schools and to help fundraising events in the area, the spokesman said.

The pub had also teamed up with Grayshott Cricket Club to sponsor the pavilion at nearby Broxhead Common, the spokesman said.

The pub had provided sponsorship as part of the popular summer wine and beer festival held at the cricket club, and had also hosted the bar at the annual Lindford village fete.

The Royal Exchange continued to liaise with Lindford Parish Council, the spokesman added, discussing Christmas events, a new planting scheme at the entrance to the village and membership of Hampshire Fare to champion the county’s produce.