THE new tenants of a pub in Ferndown are hoping to build a community and become the main watering hole in the town. 

Rowena and Jay Jones took on The White Heather, Ringwood Road in Ferndown, in December 2023. 

Despite initial teething problems with rowdy customers, the couple has since been clear with their aims to stamp out Ferndown's bad pub behaviour and have been astonished by the kind response amongst the community.

Rowena said: "All the local people have been amazingly supportive. They've all come in, told us their side of things and what they want for the future and we've listened.

"We're the main town pub now The Nightjar has closed and a lot of effort has been made by us to make the pub a nice place for customers to come in."

Also tenants at The Albion Inn in Verwood, the couple have announced they are to step away from the sister pub to fully focus on improving The White Heather.

Screening Sky Sports and hosting DJ events, Rowena hopes the pub can run events for sports fans, families, and those looking for a night out. 

She said: "Me and my husband are more in the back of the pub at the moment but that will change come February. We've got lots of exciting plans including upcoming events."

Hoping to be able to eventually serve food, the pub has been collaborating with Tucky's Hog Roast food van every Friday night. 

Also wanting to host coffee and cake mornings to create family-friendly events that move away from drinking culture, Rowena is clear The White Heather is entering a new life under their management.

She said: "The message has got out and we've filtered any negativity that came to this pub. We've now just got customers who want to have fun who come in, have a drink and leave.

"It's perfect and what we want, we're trying to join up with Ferndown Community Support and we have plans to raise money for charities. We want to get involved and became a main pub for the town."