Tails wagging in East Hampshire village as dog daycare owners snap up pub

A couple behind a successful doggy day care in the West End are hopeful of making a few pedigree chums after snapping up an East Hampshire pub.

Buriton could be welcoming more wags than a footballer’s wedding as Nick and Charlie Tudor-Pole have bought The Five Bells with the pub being reopened as a café and bar.

But there’s more to come with the plans including a rotisserie and a soundproofed ‘dog hotel’.

“We started Kings Dog Daycare in Chelsea about five years ago in a really small space,” said Nick, who added that the couple got close to buying The Donkey near Elstead before being gazumped.

“A couple of years ago we moved to the unit next door and now look after about 30 dogs a day.

“The idea was to find a place in a beautiful setting where we could board dogs as well as look after them, within touching distance of London, and this fits the bill.”

There’s treats for two-legged visitors, too, with one side being a café offering coffee and treats, and the other being a bar.

It will be open from Thursday to Sunday while there’s also a small shop offering products like locally produced chocolate, pottery, honey and eggs.

The soft launch took place last week with Nick and Charlie being blown away by the response.

Charlie said: “It seemed like the whole village turned up – we knew it was going to be busy but the response was just incredible.”

And there’s also something different planned for diners, as it won’t be long until a rotisserie is turning in the corner.

“There’s room for 30 chickens on there, and all the juices will drip down onto potatoes below,” said Nick.

“And once we get it going there will be chicken stock on tap. Sounds great, doesn’t it?”