A much-loved village pub is preparing to welcome customers once again, as The Crown in Kingsclere moves closer to reopening after being closed for several years.
The pub has been taken on by Mike and Amanda Peel, the team behind Emporia on Overton High Street. They are now in the early stages of refurbishing the building, with plans to bring The Crown back as a warm, welcoming pub at the heart of the village.
The news has been met with enthusiasm locally, especially after a long period where the pub sat empty. For many residents, The Crown has been missed not just as a place to eat and drink, but as a social hub and meeting point.
Alongside the excitement, the couple have been keen to address recent rumours suggesting that Emporia in Overton might be closing as a result of the new venture. They have moved quickly to shut that down.
“This is absolutely not a closure,” said Mike. “Emporia is not going anywhere. We love Overton, we love the High Street, and Emporia remains a huge part of our lives. Taking on The Crown is about expanding what we do, not replacing it.”
Amanda echoed that message, saying the rumours had come as a surprise. “We’ve heard people say, ‘Oh, Emporia must be closing now,’ and that simply isn’t true,” she said. “This is growth. It’s us taking on a new challenge while keeping everything that already works.”
The refurbishment at The Crown is now underway, with the Peels focusing on restoring the pub’s character while making it comfortable and practical for modern use. While no reopening date has yet been confirmed, they say progress is steady and plans are taking shape.
“We want to do this properly,” said Mike. “The Crown has a lot of history, and we respect that. The aim is to create a proper village pub again, somewhere locals feel proud of and visitors feel welcome.”
Amanda added that community will be at the centre of their approach. “Pubs only work when they belong to the people around them,” she said. “We want The Crown to feel friendly, relaxed, and inclusive. Somewhere you can drop in for a quiet drink or stay for a good chat.”
The reopening of The Crown marks a positive step for Kingsclere, bringing new life to a building that has been dark for far too long. With Emporia continuing as normal in Overton and refurbishment work gathering pace, the Peels say they are excited about what lies ahead.
Further details about the reopening, including dates and plans for the pub, are expected to be shared in the coming months on their Facebook page and website.