A HISTORICAL town centre pub is reopening later this week as the new landlords prepare to bring back a pub "everyone thought they had lost". 

Regulars of The Antelope in Church Square, High Wycombe, were left devastated at the news of the pub closing down due to the cost of living crisis and rent prices becoming "too much".

Mark Adkins had run 'The Lope' for seven years where it became 'Wycombe's only pub venue open until 6am' and appealed to vegans with a fast food truck in their beer garden.

Now, landlords Alex Tomlinson Spittles and his partner Luke Gregory have announced they have taken over and will be reopening the pub on Friday, October 14.

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The pair also took over the former Phoenix pub replacing it with The Station, a sports bar showing Sky and BT Sports and own The Hour Glass pub.

Refurbishments have been made to The Antelope following 'thousands' being invested into the business.

However, The Bite Down fast-food vegan truck which was located in the pub garden will be located at their other pub, Hour Glass.

Ahead of the Antelope's official relaunch, landlords Alex and Luke have spoken out. 

Alex said: "Nervous is one thing and excitment. It's exciting to be bringing back a place everyone thought they had lost and it's about bringing back the day time regular drinkers and the older generation that love to drink at this historic pub which has been around for years. 

"It's a big task to take on and we've got big shoes to fill but there's los of things to be excited about. We've sorted the garden and rat issues, we've got a new product line and we've changed to Coca-Cola. It won't be a vegan only venue either, the menu will be inclusive to everyone and all dieteray requirements. 

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"Popular beer brands will be available too like Amstel, Fosters and John Smiths and we're also in talks with local breweries like Rebellion. The pool tables have been reintroduced and there's a new gazebo with heaters inside for the garden."

The landlords also want to make The Antelope a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and warned anyone who is disrespectful will be told to leave the venue. 

Mr Spittles said: "We live in 2022 now and everyone is generally accepting now that the pub culture has changed.

"We're both gay landlords and want to make sure High Wycombe is an inclusive place for everyone and it's how all venues should be, a place where you can feel safe, but I know that every single person has had a bad experience in Wycombe but by working together, we can make it a better place."

As part of their launch, The Antelope will be celebrating with free glasses of Prosecco at 4pm.