Boxford’s White Hart pub saved from closure as new owner aims to re-establish business as hub for community

A historic pub has been saved – and hopes once again to become the cornerstone of a Suffolk village and its community.

Boxford’s White Hart closed in November – less than 12 months after new tenants, who previously ran a pub in Great Cornard, took over.

There had been fears that the pub in Broad Street, which was built more than 400 years ago, would shut for good.

Now, though, local businessman Howard Watts has bought the White Hart and promises that it will once again be at the heart of Boxford life.

Mr Watts, who also runs Riddesdells Garage in the village, has unveiled his plans to put the White Hart back at the centre of the thriving community, which has a population of 1,400.

And it could be back in business within six weeks, he said.

Mr Watts is promising to make the pub community-focused, and welcomed any suggestions from locals.

“The White Hart is in the middle of the village and steeped in history,” he said.

“It was once the main malthouse for the local brewing industry and I wanted to ensure that it remained at the centre of the community.

“I have always liked the building, and it is a valuable asset to the village.”

Colin Parr, chairman of Boxford Parish Council, has already added his support to the pub’s facelift.

He said: “This is really excellent and exciting news. The White Hart has been the focus of the village for centuries and we certainly didn’t want to lose it.”

Work has already started on the pub – and one of the challenging and intriguing projects is to find an unusual tombstone reputedly buried in the car park.

Tornado Smith – born George William Smith – was the son of the landlord of the White Hart and became a worldwide legend as a daredevil wall of death stunt motorcyclist in the 1930s.

The highlight of his act was riding the wall, with his 12-stone pet lioness Briton on the handlebars or in a sidecar.

When Briton died, she was buried under the forecourt of the pub, but Mr Watts is determined to find the tombstone and have it restored as part of the pub’s extraordinary history.

Tornado later moved to South Africa, where he died in 1971.

Mr Watts said: “He was a real local hero. He’s even commemorated on the official village sign, so it will be terrific to find the stone and restore it.”

The White Hart’s bar will also be re-named ‘Briton’s Bar’, in memory of the biker lion.

Other plans for the pub include a tea and coffee lounge, creating a business hub and a meeting room and turning the upstairs into a holiday let that will sleep up to eight people.

In addition, the outbuildings in the pub’s car park will be converted for business use for events and meetings.

A large tent will also be put up and made available for special events, including wedding receptions and birthdays.

Although the pub will not be offering its own food, Mr Watts plans to have hot food vans visiting on a regular basis for takeaways.

And, as a bonus for visitors to the village, the pub’s car park will be free to use outside of opening hours.

Mr Watts added: “I will also be naming parts of the business after people that have played a huge part in my life.

“The coffee lounge will be called Fred’s lounge, after my father, and the holiday lets Maison Gloria, after my mother.

“I want the Hart to be at the centre of the community. Boxford is a wonderful village full of lovely people.”