Lily Sugars disowning its past
A ONCE-notorious pub has been taken over by a businessman who wants to banish its bad reputation.
Lily Sugar's was once owned by drug dealer Gary Rix - now serving a lengthy stretch behind bars after Hampshire's biggest ever drugs bust.
It was repossessed and snapped up by new owner Greg Collier, who wants to put it back on the map – for all the right reasons.
The property investor has the support of the police after proving he will not stand for the kind of troublemakers who frequented the place under the previous owner.
He has already turfed out one licensee who did not adhere to his and the police's strict guidelines and has installed new managers who want to turn the pub around.
Havant district licensing officer PC Andy Hibbert said: "Mr Collier is very positive with the police, he wants to do the best for the Island and for the local residents.
"We did have a problem with the previous licensee but I went to see Mr Collier and he immediately closed the place.
"He has brought in holding managers now who are determined to turn the pub right round."
However police say they will continue to keep a close eye on the venue.
There is a nightclub above the pub, in Creek Road, which was the cause of much misery for residents who endured late-night fights, noise and criminal damage outside the venue under the previous owner.
But PC Hibbert said it will never open again.
The pub does not have a strict over-21 policy contrary to other reports, but it does not play music.
The hope is that people in Eastoke – where Lily Sugar's is the only pub – will pop in for a pint.
Mr Collier said: "It's good news. There are a lot of derelict pubs on the Island.
"It also brings business to the area. The couple in there at the moment seem to be keeping things under control and do not tolerate any trouble.
"I'm happy that it's being run well now."
Paul Fisher, chairman of the Hayling Island Residents' Association, agreed.
He said: "Eastoke needs a hostelry, especially since the closure of the Kittiwake.
"The community needs a place to meet and have conviviality. It's good news for the area."
Previous owner Gary Rix, was jailed for six years at Portsmouth Crown Court last year. His mob, based on Hayling Island, were caught with 1million of cannabis.
In court it was revealed that Rix was found with a gun, a can of CS gas and 15 grammes of cocaine when police searched his home in Selsmore Avenue.
The court also heard how he slept with the gun under his pillow.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Hayling
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -4 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -5 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
