Brothers who used to visit a landmark pub with their parents have saved it for the community seven years after it shut its doors. Ross and David Hunt were both born in Weymouth and grew up there, before launching the Longshore development company together as adults. So when they saw Osmington’s The Sunray struggling, and then closing, they jumped at the chance to turn the site into something brilliant.

Four years later, the pub – which has gone back to its original name after being briefly called the Sly Fox – has been completely rebuilt, and surrounded by gorgeous holiday cottages, with lovely interiors designed by David’s wife Paula. Ross said: “Our main motivation was to restore the Sunray back to its former glory.

The Sunray pub with red brick facade and green-trimmed storefront, featuring outdoor patio seating with white umbrellas. Several patrons are seated at tables on the terrace, which is enclosed by black railings. The building has large windows and slate-colored roofing. — The Sunray at Osmington

“David and I used to go there with our parents when we were kids and it was a wonderful pub that we have fond memories of from our childhood and it sadly went downhill over the years since then and had changed hands five times in eight years before we bought it.

“It had even gone through a name change to The Sly Fox, which none of the locals seemed to like.”

Opened in 1933, The Sunray is steeped in local history. In wartime it was a favourite hideaway for high-ranking officers, who used “Sunray” as a code to slip away and relieve themselves of their duties with a cold drink.

Three people smiling at the camera standing outside a brick storefront with mint-green painted trim and large windows. The man on the left wears a light blue t-shirt and shorts, the woman in the centre wears a turquoise top and black leggings, and the man on the right wears a dark navy t-shirt and jeans. A potted plant with burgundy foliage sits to the right of the entrance. — Ross and David with Paula, who designed the holiday cottage interiors

Nearly a century later and the rebuilt pub has a new lease of life. It is now open from 8.30am for breakfast, with lunch noon-3pm and dinner 5pm-8.30pm, after the brothers handed it over to Dorset pub and restaurant operators Fired Up Collective.

Fired Up’s marketing manager Gerrit Visser said: “Our kids’ play area has been really popular – it has a massive climbing frame. The disabled access is good and we are very allergen friendly. We’re using a lot of local produce, such as Craig’s Dairy Farm and Jurassic Meats and we are going to be doing a lot of seasonal dishes.”

David and Ross funded the multi-million-pound project themselves with the aim of providing a pub, but their expertise is in building, not pubs, so they asked Fired Up to take over. Fired Up runs a boutique collection of pubs and restaurants in the Dorset area including the Old Thatch Wimborne, Good Yard Broadstone, the Old Beams in Ringwood and Nusara Thai restaurants in Wimborne, Poole, Christchurch and Westborne.

Andy Lennox, FUC Managing Director said: “We have a good reputation for redeveloping old pubs and bringing them back to life. The Sunray had been out of action for some years so this was a really good opportunity to bring our talent and spark and give everyone their hub back again.

“We always welcome feedback – anything the community want us to do, we are happy to look into it.”