Hempstead - Hare & Hounds

The Hare & Hounds is at the far end of Hempstead and is in fact almost in Baconsthorpe. Rumour had it that the parish boundary ran through the bar area but that is not the case, as the line runs just beyond the property's own boundary. The Hare & Hounds started off as a village beerhouse before becoming a licensed public house. It was first recorded in 1789, and was variously owned by the Marchioness of Lothian, the Marquis of Lothian, Major Gerald Southerland, B. & R. Stevenson and during its demise, Val Purkiss.

The Hare & Hounds had a chequered career, shutting and opening again on more than one occasion. In the early 2000s the pub was a thriving and profitable business but after a change in ownership its popularity plummeted as clientele chose to go elsewhere. The pub finally closed in 2010.

Stay of execution for Hare and Hounds pub in Baconsthorpe/Hempstead

Hopes of stopping a once-thriving village pub being turned into a house have been kept alive by planners.

North Norfolk District Council's (NNDC) development committee has voted to defer a change-of-use applicationby owner Val Purkiss for the Hare and Hounds, on Baconsthorpe Road, Hempstead.

Planning Officers had recommended that the controversial application should be granted this time, after a previos rejection which was upheld on appeal, because a pub had become unviable.

A report to councillors said the pub, which closed in 2010, had lost its sewerage system to neighbouring land after discovering it was illegal.

A new one suitable for commercial premises would cost £140,000 to install and another £10,000 every 45 days to empty, according to a quote submitted by Mrs Purkiss.

But councillors decided they wanted independent confirmation of the likely cost and have deferred their decision until officers have the new figures.

Several also felt that the pub had not been marketed well and had therefore not attracted a buyer.
Anthea Sweeney said the pub's closure was "absolutely tragic."

She added: "Not many years ago it was absolutely heaving. Since the applicant bought the pub it's been run down so much."

Richard Shepherd said the pub used to draw people from far afield. "We need that pub. It's the only one for blinking miles. It needs to be properly marketed and I don't think it has been," he added.

John Perry-Warnes, who supported the closure recommendation, said the current owners were "really not pub people."

Mrs Purkiss has previously stated that fewer than 20 locals a week used the pub.
Alex Hurrell, Eastern Daily Press - 19th December 2013

Village History
Directories	Hare & Hounds	School	Post Office	Photos	Court Green	Vicarage	Farms	Smokers Hole	Long Sal
Chapel Lane	White Horse	Mens' Club	Watermills	Windmill	Lose & Nether Halls	Forge	Selbrigg	Shop

Licensees
William Claxton	1789
James Pigg	1794
James Pegg	1836-1841
Henry Curson	1845
Thomas Cursin (also Curson)	1846-1875
Mrs. Emma Cursin (also Curson)	1875-1881
Robert Scarff	1881
Samuel Scarff	1925
John William Harmer	1939
Fred Ison	1954
Major Gerald Southerland	1957
Peter Marlow Gunnett	1970
Beryl Stevenson	1971
Val Purkiss	2008
More info available on Norfolkpubs website