THE choppy past that has troubled Pewsey’s 200-year-old Barge Inn pub continues after it closed on Sunday.

Since Honeystreet Ales took over the canalside pub in 2010, it has closed twice and was not far off closing for a third time before it was saved by a community buyout with the help of £430,000 in Lottery funding.

Its new Italian owners, Pietro and Barbara Cuomo, bought the Honeystreet establishment from Ian McIvor this month and say they hope to steady the ship when they move in later this week.

Mr Cuomo said: “We have very ambitious plans about The Barge and related lifestyle that we would love to explain and disclose to the entire population in Wiltshire.

“Basically, we are going to live here first and we are then running the pub ourselves consistent with our desire to widen and improve both the pub’s offer and the attendance, also addressing our enthusiasm to all comers.”

Wiltshire councillor Jerry Kunkler, who represents Pewsey, said: “It has been crying out for a bit of tender loving care and for someone to get their act together.

“It is difficult to have stability there as it has high running costs, however I wish the new Italian owners the best of luck as I think this could be a really good addition to the area.”

Tenants Darren Simons and Violet Mclaren said their goodbyes to the pub on Monday after moving out. The pub last closed in October 2012 due to spiralling debts before reopening in December that year.

Pewsey boater Andrew Lingard, who has been going to the pub for decades, said: “Everyone in the village is hugely disappointed that it has closed again, it has had a very choppy past.”

“It is very important to a lot of locals but especially to boaters who have come here regularly and socialised here for many-a-year.”

It is not yet known what will happen to the campsite, which reportedly provides a great deal of the business’ income, during the summer months.

Mr McIvor said: “I am happy to confirm that the freehold of the Barge Inn has been sold but nothing further to add other than wishing the new owners every success.

“I am unable to comment about ongoing plans. A corporate investment decision was made to exit this sector.”