The Royal Shades has been left to fall to wrack and ruin since it closed its doors to drinkers more than two years ago.

But lap-dancing club owner Paul Ojla has bought the Sea Front pub, vowing to restore it back its glory days.

The 52-year-old tycoon, from Titchfield, who owns Portsmouth's Elegance club and runs two city pubs, said: "I've been in the licensing trade for quite a while and I'm one of those people who likes to bring traditional pubs back to their former glory.

"We're hoping to get it back up and running by March"

And residents groups on the Island are hoping the long battle to find a buyer for the Shades, could also see plans for another redundant pub to bloom back into life in 2010 – the Rose in June in Mengham.

Hayling Island Residents' Association and the Community Board have been lobbying pub giant Wetherspoons to consider taking on the Mengham building – threatened with being turned into flats by developers after an arson attack destroyed the listed barn on the site – and restoring it as one of the Island's premier watering holes.

Mr Ojla did not hesitate where other prospective owners for the Shade have wavered since the summer of 2007 when the last pint was pulled.

He told the Islander: "It really took my fancy when I saw it. I don't like these anonymous wine bars, I like the traditional side.

"It's going to take an awful lot of work to clean it up and give it a lot of TLC but we're giving the customers what they want."

Mr Ojla has turned around the fortunes of The Surrey Arms and The Cadman's Rest, both in Portsmouth, and which were both under threat.

He said: "It's been hard work but we've made them welcoming and each week we see more and more people coming back."

But he says he will need the support of Island folk if he is to make it a success.

"I want to involve the community because I want it to be a good, traditional pub," he added.

"They need to tell me what they want there. I will try and keep prices down to compete but people need to use it."

Before Mr Ojla bought the pub shortly before Christmas, councillors at Havant Borough Council voted to take enforcement action against the owners of the grade II listed building, in a bid to get it spruced up.

Windows have been boarded up and paint left peeling despite pressure from former county councillor Ted Gale to get the Shades renovated.

Hayling West councillor Andy Lenaghan, who set in motion the enforcement action, said he was "absolutely delighted" the pub was reopening.

Cllr Lenaghan said: "It was such an eyesore so I'm really pleased that something is finally being done.

"There will be a lot of people keen to speak to Mr Ojla about it."

Let us know what you want to see from the refurbished Royal Shades when it opens its doors in the spring. Email your letters to us at contactus@haylingislandtoday.co.uk