Turning the Isle of Wight's Fleming Arms back into a place for the community is the goal of the new tenants of the historic, Binstead pub.

Anthony and Samantha Rowthorn are the latest in a long list of landlords to take the helm in recent years. But they're promising they're in it for the long haul.

With a vast background in the hospitality sector on the mainland, the couple relocated to the Island last month (January).

They said they're "Islanders at heart" and the move gives them a chance to be closer to family here.

Isle of Wight County Press:

"All my family are from the Island", Anthony said.

"I used to live in Hampshire in Fleet and I've always wanted to come back to Hampshire and wanted to be with my family on the Island."

The pair have taken over from Hannah and Lewis, who have been the steady hands at the pub since the middle of last year.

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Anthony and Samantha have entered into a retail partnership with company Stonegate, which will see them take over the day-to-day running.

They're also living above the pub, on Binstead Road. 

Samantha said: "We're going to apply all of our skillsets to build back the Fleming Arms into the community pub and bring it back for the local residents as they deserve to have a great pub again.

"I think they've missed that."

"They've missed the food offering and they've missed somewhere they can just come and hang out with people, whether it be a coffee, a pint or a simple home cooked meal."

The Fleming Arms is back open 12pm to 10pm, seven days a week, and is once again serving food.

"Don't judge us on the history [of the Fleming]", they said.

"We're here for a fresh start for the Fleming and hopefully all the community will be able to see that once they've come along and had a pint with us!"