The Hare and Hounds pub in Stoneclough is under new ownership

Gino, aged 45, and Donna Marone, aged 52, are starting a new adventure to transform The Hare and Hounds into a family pub, bringing the community back together.

The couple who already own The Pineapple Inn on Blackburn Road, are hoping to make big changes to the pub.

Gino said: “Me and Donna are massively excited to be the owners, we’re just looking forward to doing similar things to what we have done at our other pub The Pineapple Inn, bringing the village back together and letting them enjoy themselves in a nice place.

“We are family people so what we want to do is bring the community back together, give the place a better look and get the kitchen operating.

Donna and Gino, the new owners of The Hare and Hounds, Stoneclough

“We are family people and do a lot for our community.

“We still have our other pub, but my daughter Francesca will be taking over that business and we’re going to concentrate solely on the Hare and Hounds and basically bring it back to life.”

There will be a range of changes to the pub with a renovation, a new bar and lots of exciting new alcohol choices.

Gino said: “We will be updating the brands of alcohol. I’m going to be changing a lot of the drafts and I’m also going to be introducing Bolton Gin who I sort of represent and we are going to have massive gin supplies.

“There is going to be a new look but there’s not going to be a new look straight away because I take over on May 31 and then we are heading into the Jubilee, so I don’t physically have the time to turn it around.

“But in terms of the bar, the bar will be turned around and all the stock will be there.

“In terms of the renovations to the place and our own touches, that will be soon after the Jubilee really.”

Arvin the pub dog. The Hare and Hounds is a dog friendly pub

Rachel Duckworth, manager of The Hare and Hounds alongside Jade Smith and Becky Slone who are also managers, said: “We are extremely excited at the massive changes that are going to be made.

“The pub has been through a lot of tough times the last couple of years.

“These things happen but we are here to stay for good and make it into an amazing village pub.

“Gino and Donna will be the new owners of the business and will be investing a lot of time and funds into it and working alongside the same management and staff that have been there.

“It's desperately what it needs, and I want to thank all of the lovely people who have been in and have been nothing but supportive.”

The couple are excited to welcome the local community back to the pub after a short closure.

The Hare and Hounds has new owners

The Hare and Hounds, Stoneclough, will be opening on June 2 for an exciting Jubilee weekend.

They will kick off their opening with a relaunch party starting at 5pm with a buffet, disco and karaoke.

On June 3, they will have DJ Denon playing all your favourite music from 7pm until late.

On Saturday June 4, they will be hosting a Queen’s Jubilee Fun day party with face painting, £200 cash and prizes to be won and so much more.

And on Sunday June 5 they will have a DJ and karaoke to finish off the Jubilee weekend.