A Dorset pub with a chequered past is under new management, with its landlords determined to turn the venue into a welcoming community hub.
The White Heather in Ferndown has long carried a reputation for bar fights and anti-social behaviour, but new owners Tony Freshwater and his partner Becky are determined to leave that behind.
From Rough to Friendly
Tony, who has years of experience behind the bar, says running his own pub has always been his dream. “It’s got a reputation of being quite a rough place and we want to change that,” he explained. “We’ve been after it for a few years now, there’s a lot of potential with this pub.”
He believes the closure of the local Wetherspoons has left Ferndown without a true communal space – a gap The White Heather is perfectly placed to fill.
A Fresh Start for Ferndown
The couple plan to introduce family-friendly events, using the car park for festivals, food vans, and live music. They’re also leaning into the pub’s dog-friendly nature – with their own two dogs already proving popular with customers.
Beyond the pints, Tony has ambitious plans to broaden the pub’s offer. With a licence from 8am, the team will be serving breakfast, as well as tea and cake sessions designed to bring older residents together for a chat.
Food will also be a priority, with a focus on affordable, good-quality pub classics. “The food has been hit and miss in there over the years,” Tony admitted. “We want to sell good pub grub that’s not too expensive because before the food wasn’t up to its full potential.”
Changing the Narrative
The couple’s mission is simple: to replace negativity with positivity. “We want to change how this pub has been viewed in the past and hope everyone will like it,” Tony said.
The White Heather officially reopened on 5 September and is already positioning itself as a pub where everyone – locals, families, dog walkers, and football fans – will feel at home.
