White Hart pub's new owner turns bad reputation around

But it was a challenge that former security worker Chris Jameson, better known as CJ, was willing to tackle head on. 

And after taking over the White Hart in Corn Market, Wimborne last December, he is adamant he has rebranded the pub into a new, squeaky-clean reputation. 

“We have a zero-tolerance stance on bad behaviour,” CJ told the Echo from his new watering hole.

“And within one week we got rid of all the undesirables. 

(Image: NQ)

“And we saw in the first three to four weeks that there was no trace of substances, we had no issues, no altercations. 

“We’ve really cleaned up the pub’s image.” 

Last November, tempers at the pub under previous management reached boiling point when an alleged brawl broke out, reportedly involving a knife.  

This is now going through court with a former worker there due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court. 

CJ is keen to distance himself from any history of the 16-century pub: “It felt like I was being persecuted because I'm being punished for someone else's actions and that's how it's been. 

(Image: Daily Echo)

“But now I’ve got customers who have not been here for years coming back for a drink, telling me how much it has changed. 

“The locals, especially the immediate locals who petitioned to have the pub shut down, now drink here, have meals... I have a really good relationship with them.” 

To do that, he has made the pub family friendly by having play areas for children, a big screen – which is showing the Euros and other sport – and live music on Saturdays (“not rock, but folky, upbeat country”). 

He is also introducing monthly events, fun days and a pork and cider festival on the last bank holiday weekend of August. 

Food, CJ added, is all homecooked with the help of his wife – all the ingredients for a pub that CJ said he wants to make the “heart of the community”. 

He added: “Seeing what has been achieved here gives me that sense of joy as well. It makes me think I’ve won this battle.”