Here’s some good news to get us going… Shirehampton’s historic Lamplighters pub is set to re-open after four years of standing derelict.

The team which has been redeveloping nearby Kings Weston House has bought the pub and plan to run it as a family friendly, community venue. Husband & Wife Dominic & Kathie Gundry-White, with Dominic’s business partner Norman Routledge,  have bought the pub from Unity Street Investments LLP, which owned it since it was sold by Enterprise Inns in 2011, having stood vacant for 18 months before this.

A deal to sell part of the pub’s substantial gardens for homes – which was a key part in making the redevelopment of the pub work – is currently in its final stages.

The Lamplighters as it looked in 2002

It is hoped the pub could be open by Spring 2014.

Mr Gundry-White said: “We want to create a family pub which will be a hub for the community and also a real destination pub.  The pub will offer high quality food as well and we will not be ‘tied’ to any one brewer.”

This resurrection will see the culmination of a community campaign and petitions run by local MP Charlotte Leslie and city councillor Wayne Harvey.  Ms Leslie, who has been campaigning to save the Lamplighters for several years, and who launched an extensive community petition to gather local feeling, said she was thrilled that the pub would soon be open for business again.

She said: “it is simply fantastic news that Kathie, Norman, Dominic and the team have taken over the pub- almost a dream come true. I have seen the work they are doing at historic Kings Weston House and they completely understand both the needs of how to restore the building and also offer first class hospitality.    People in Shirehampton have been crying out to have the Lamplighters restored – you just have to read the many, many comments on the petition website – and at last it is going to happen.

“For too long this beautiful and historic old pub was standing derelict. It was desperately sad. Its location is superb – close to the motorway, the Portway road, and Shirehampton Station, but it really feels like a pub in the countryside, with its large gardens, amazing river-view, and local walks along the riverside. Its a country pub in the city.

“The pub has always been popular and demand for its return was high. This is very much ‘a community’ where people know each other and provide mutual support.

Councillor Harvey said: “I used to play round the Lamplighters pub as a youngster, and like many Shire residents have enjoyed many a happy time at the pub as an adult. We’ve all been desperate to see our beloved pub resurrected.

“There were always doubters with our campaign to re-open the pub, but now it seems our persistence may have paid off. We have to thank all those who signed the petition and surveys, and Shire paper which has been so supportive.

Peter Bridle from Bristol CAMRA, which has also been supporting plans to reopen the pub, said:  “I am often being asked “when will the Lamplighters reopen?” Many people in Shirehampton and beyond have missed this pub have been very keen to see it reopen. It is terrific news to hear that it will be reopening in a few months time.

“Pubs form a vital link for communities and it is clear that local people have missed not having their local open. It would have been a big loss had the pub been closed for good. Even better news is that it will be free of tie. This will enable the owners to offer a good range of beers without the onerous overheads of being tied to a large pub Company.

“We wish everyone connected with the Lamplighters every success for the future”.